Engineering Focus

This blog covers the project in general, but over the coming months I will be covering particular aspects of the project, such as the construction of the bridge itself, work to build access roads to the bridge  and improve existing road connections.  Construction of a second road crossing over the River Mersey commenced on October 2014 after years of discussion and planning dating back some 20 years.  The Mersey Gateway project will provide a second road crossing over the River Mersey, comprising of a 6 lane cable stayed bridge, providing 3 free flowing lanes in each direction. The total length of the bridge including approach viaducts will be 2.3km, with a main span over the river of 1km. The bridge will comprise of 3 main towers, the largest of which will reach 125m high. The deck will be supported from the towers by steel cables. The bridge will be connected to the national motorway network via a 9.5km section of express way which will be upgraded to pr...

On the 9th of February (2015) Manchester Airport station reopened after being closed to all but Metro traffic for 3 weeks. During the 3 week closure engineers installed new track and signalling in order to bring a new fourth platform into operation. The construction of a fourth platform at the station is part of a wider £1bn package of improvements right across the North West that will increase capacity and improve journey times. The new fourth platform will add much needed capacity and flexibility to the station which handles over 3 million passengers a year. As well as a new platform for rail services, the station has also recently been extended in order to accept Metro trams serving the Airport Line. The latest addition to the growing Metro network opened in November last year. The new Metro serves Wythenshawe town centre and Sale Water Park amongst other stations on route to Cornbrook, where the Metro will terminate for the time being. Once Second City Crossing ( 2CC ) ope...