Silver Jubilee Bridge in Halton reopens after major refurbishment

The Silver Jubilee Bridge in Halton has reopened today following completion of a major refurbishment programme. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Work began on the bridge – which crosses the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal between Runcorn and Widnes – in 2017 when the Mersey Gateway Bridge opened. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The iconic Silver Jubilee Bridge – a Grade II Listed Structure and the seventh largest steel arch bridge in the world – was closed for a major revamp for the first time in its 60 year history. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The complex programme of work has included: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

• Refurbishment of the arch superstructure, including renewal of the protective paint system and steelwork repairs
• Replacement of a hanger cable – the first time this has ever been undertaken. Hanger cables support the bridge deck
• Repairing, re-waterproofing and resurfacing of the bridge deck
• Re-configuration into a single traffic lane in either direction, plus dedicated cycle lane
• Carriageway re-configuration, resurfacing and extensive refurbishment to Runcorn and Widnes Approach Viaducts
• Extensive upgrade and renewal of parapets and safety fencing.

Drivers using the bridge are now required to pay a road charge (toll) to cross but if you are already registered to use the Mersey Gateway Bridge then you do not need to do anything. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Both bridges are using exactly the same charging, discount and registration system – more here. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cllr Stan Hill, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Transportation, says: “To refurbish and repaint the Silver Jubilee Bridge has been a monumental task for all those involved and I want to thank them for this major achievement.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This has never been done before in the bridge’s 60 year history and proved to be a highly complex job. I am delighted that our iconic landmark is now ready for local residents to travel across once again.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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[Photo: Geoff Wynne CC BY-SA 2.0] ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​