A project milestone has been reached on the £1.75 billion Mersey Gateway project in Halton.

The final concrete pour on the project's south approach viaduct has been completed and the structure is on scheduled to open this autumn.

The works were carried out by the Movable Scaffolding Systems (MMS) Webster, one of two MMS' specially designed and built to develop the curved viaducts leading to the Mersey Gateway Bridge.

The 1,700 tonne machine has been working on the south approach viaduct for around 10 months, slowly creating the reinforced concrete deck that will be used by 60,000 vehicles per day.

The final pour was a 28-hour operation – 1,133 cubic metres of concrete was being poured into the giant mould to complete the deck of the south approach viaduct.

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The machine has now been moved back one span and will slowly be dismantled over the next couple of months before being transported to Bratislava to join its fellow MSS Trinity, which is helping to build a new bridge over the River Danube.

Hugh O'Connor, General Manager for Merseylink, said: "To have reached this landmark just 10 months after building Webster is great news for the project.

"The viaducts on either side of the river are huge structures in themselves, with the south approach viaduct requiring a considerable degree of engineering and construction skill to build, as well as using a huge amount of material. This final pour on the south approach viaduct means we're getting closer and closer to completing this iconic bridge."

Council Leader Rob Polhill said: "The work taking place on the estuary is truly remarkable and it is an absolute delight to be able to see such engineering marvels being used on Halton's iconic bridge project.

"Webster and Trinity have been a great part of the borough's landscape and while it is sad to see them go, we can really now see the progression of the river construction and I look forward to the bridge opening in autumn."

(LM)