The final concrete pour on the Mersey Gateway’s south approach viaduct has been completed by Webster - a 1,700 tonne machine, ‘which looks and operates like a giant Meccano set’.
The new bridge is now on schedule to open in the autumn of 2017.
Webster is one of two Movable Scaffolding Systems (MSS) specially designed and built to construct the curved viaducts leading to the Mersey Gateway Bridge, which will be used by 60,000 vehicles per day.
The massive machine has acted as a giant concrete mould, known as ‘formwork’, and had to be assembled piece by piece. It was initially lifted into place with two giant cranes, one weighing 700 tonnes and another 750 tonnes.
MSS Webster
Lasting 28 hours, the final pour operation saw 1,133 cubic metres of concrete poured into the giant mould to complete the deck of the south approach viaduct.
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.'
Cllr Rob Polhill, leader of Halton Borough Council, 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 is 157m long, 8m high and 22m across at its widest point has been employed on the south approach viaduct for around 10 months. In total it has constructed eight spans of the south approach viaduct using 9,205 cubic metres of concrete, equivalent to filling four Olympic-sized swimming pools.
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