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Engineers Dig Deep For Mersey Gateway

Source: Widnes Waterfront

Mersey Gateway specialist engineers took to the water on jet-skis, hovercrafts and quad bikes as investigations continue to learn more about how the channels of the Upper Mersey Estuary move.
Curious motorists and those walking by the river will also have noticed a new temporary addition to the Mersey - a 30 sq m marine drilling rig.
The rig, which will be in place for around three weeks, will drill 40 - 50m beneath the riverbed to generate a detailed profile of the characteristics of the soil and rock below.
At the same time, aircraft will be overhead mapping the heights and levels of buildings and land around the proposed route and approach to the Mersey Gateway. This will assist with the meticulous planning needed to ensure the design of the new crossing fits with existing infrastructure.
Cllr Tony McDermott, Chair of the Mersey Crossing Group and Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “It is exciting to see this rig in place on the river as it’s a visible sign that we are making progress to building the Mersey Gateway. The River Mersey is a great asset and this work is being carried out so we can be confident that the new crossing will have minimal impact on the river and its wildlife.”

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