Get ready for a fantastic evening of spectacular fireworks launched from Halton’s brand new bridge.

Halton Borough Council, the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board and the consortium, Merseylink, are inviting the public to join them in celebrating the completion of the new iconic structure for the north west.

The new Mersey Gateway Bridge could open to traffic as early as mid- September and we have a spectacular event in store for the opening night when it happens.

While the exact date of bridge opening is yet to be revealed, the team are working with renowned fireworks experts to deliver a world class display to mark this momentous occasion.

Leader of Halton Borough Council, Cllr Rob Polhill said: “There have been many amazing highs and huge challenges on our journey to this point. However, throughout the years of campaigning and more recently during construction, we have remained firmly focussed on one thing – to deliver a new bridge that would help improve the lives of people living in Halton and beyond. With the Mersey Gateway Bridge almost complete, this vision is close to becoming a reality. So now really is the time to draw breath and celebrate.”

Chief Executive, David Parr said: “This is such an exciting time for Halton. The new Mersey Gateway Bridge is due to open very soon and we want to celebrate this fabulous new piece of infrastructure with all of our community.

To those who have waited patiently for this bridge for many, many years and the road users who have borne the burden of disruption during the last three and a half years while construction took place, this is a thank you.  It is also a time to look forward to a future of quicker, vastly improved and more reliable journeys across the borough and the region. We’ll keep everyone up-to-date over the next couple of weeks with more details.”

Designated viewing areas of the fireworks display will be in Widnes at Spike Island and in Runcorn on Mersey Road. More detail about the event will be shared as we get closer to the bridge opening date.

The project is opening on time and within budget after a three-and-a-half-year construction programme that has seen major roads across Widnes and Runcorn re-routed and improved.

It is anticipated the Mersey Gateway Bridge will open no later than mid-October weather permitting. The team will be able to give a definitive date around five days ahead of opening.

The 1,000 metre long Mersey Gateway Bridge is the centrepiece of the Mersey Gateway Project, which covers around nine kilometres of road improvements and a series of major new junctions running throughout Runcorn and Widnes.

Both bridges will be tolled when open and we encourage users to register now for discounts to beat the rush. Visit www.merseyflow.co.uk to register.

More details about the display will be shared closer to the bridge opening date – we encourage everyone to keep an eye on www.halton.gov.uk;  www.merseygateway.co.uk and our social media channels (Twitter: @HaltonBC, @merseygateway and Facebook).