The Runcorn side in October 2014

The Widnes side in October 2014

The Runcorn side in February 2015

The Widnes side in February 2015

The Runcorn side in April 2015

The Widnes side in April 2015

The Central cofferdam placement in June 2015

A view of all three cofferdams June 2015. The access road connecting them is complete. The Runcorn side shows commencement of the large tower crane.

Sept 2015 The supports for the elevated roadway on the Runcorn side progress. Much evidence of road widening appearing,too.

Runcorn

Central

Widnes

October 2015. Three tall cranes now tower above the 3 cofferdams. The erection of the main bridge supports has started on the Widnes and Runcorn sides.

Runcorn

Central

Widnes

January 2016. The main central support begins to rise up.

Runcorn

Central

Widnes

February 2016. These views from the Widnes side of the river. The blue structures seen at the base of the towers are part of the moveable road forming moulds ("Form travellers"). These will be lifted up to the level of the road bridge and will mould the roadway in sections, sliding out on each side of the supports until the concrete spans the river.

February 2016. The river crossing construction viewed from the Widnes side of the river.

Widnes

February 2016 View of the moveable concrete road builder after first concrete pouring. The movable concrete mould has been moved on to the next road support columns (already made).

March 2016.     Whole bridge viewed from Halton Castle

The "Form traveller" at the Runcorn support

The new road from the bridge at Runcorn, it will join the central expressway here

The road supports at Runcorn, viewed from Halton Castle. (same "yellow" crane as in the photo above, right)

What a difference a day makes! Left hand (or top) photo taken on 7th April 2016, and the right hand (or bottom) one on the 8th April. The "form traveller" which will construct the bridge roadway at Runcorn, has been raised into place.

Widnes tower, with some concrete chutes visible. June 2016

July 2016.     Runcorn Support, July 2016

Central support with some of the concrete road in place,and the central bridge tower starting to grow. July 2016

Widnes support, July 2016

General view of whole bridge in August 2016, from Runcorn side. The central support tower now climbing at a pace. At this time the heights of the cranes were Runcorn 146m (479ft), Central 82m (269ft, Widnes 129 m (423ft). The Runcorn and Widnes cranes had reached their max. height. The central had a bit more to go at that time

Preparing to bridge the Manchester Ship Canal, Aug 2016. The MSS (Moveable Scaffold System) being erected to build the road down toward the Runcorn side of the bridge.

General view of whole bridge in Sept. 2016, from Runcorn side.

Preparing to bridge the Manchester Ship Canal, Sept 2016. The MSS (Moveable Scaffold System) viewed from the other side of the Aug. picture. More complete than the previous shot!

Widnes support from Runcorn side. Oct 2016. First extensions of the bridge road itself had been cast

Central Support Oct. 2016

Runcorn support Oct. 2016, again the first road extensions had been cast, but the first road tie supports were not yet evident.

The MSS being prepared to bridge the Manchester Ship Canal. Oct 2016

The MSS now across the Manchester Ship Canal, Nov.13,2016

Runcorn first cable support in place, Nov. 2nd, 2016

General view of bridge, November 2016, from Runcorn side.

Runcorn second cable support in place, Nov 13th, 2016. The roadway begins to grow!

Widnes second support cable.Nov 13th 2016

Widnes 3rd cable , Nov 19th 2016

Runcorn 3rd cables, Nov 19th. 2016

"Guard Gull" being trained to protect the bridge!! Gull only noticed when picture was being processed. Good timing by the gull.

Whole bridge in mid Dec. 2016. Viewed from Runcorn side. The roadways on the Widnes and Runcorn sides beginning to edge out from their supporting towers towards the river banks and the central tower.

Widnes 6th support cable, Dec 12th. 2016

Central tower , Dec 12th 2016. Not much appeared to be happening!

Runcorn 6th support cable, Dec 12th 2016

The whole bridge, Jan.9th. 2017. Widnes on left, Runcorn on right.

Runcorn Feb 5th 2017.

Widnes and Central towers , Feb 5th 2017. The central tower supports now appearing.

Widnes tower, Feb 5th. The form traveller which had been erecting the concrete road on the bank has now finished its work.

The whole bridge, Feb. 5th 2017. Widnes on left, Runcorn on right.

A different view of the whole bridge, Feb 5 2017

Viewed from Halton Castle, Mar. 9th 2017

Runcorn side arms being added, and just to prove people were involved! Mar 9th. 2017

July 1st. 2017. Runcorn and Widnes roads now connected to bridge, but central portion still "free". Central support now completed and crane had been lowered and was being dismantled.

The last Runcorn cable being installed.
Looking towards Widnes.

One of the external tower lifts in action.
(Photos by kind permission of Mr.C.Pendlebury)

Aug 5th. 2017. Widnes crane being dismantled

Aug 8th. Runcorn, before scaffold removal

Aug 10th Runcorn scaffolding removal in hand

Aug 16th. 2017. Runcorn crane being lowered

Aug 17th. Runcorn crane halfway down

Aug 23rd. Runcorn crane dismantled

Sept 15th 2017. A month before opening. Last works in progress

Oct 15th 2017. Opened at midnight on Friday 13th October 2017. Tidying up can now start!

The bridge was officially opened in June, 2018, by HM Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by HRH the Duchess of Sussex.