A SPECTACULAR fireworks display launched from the Mersey Gateway will herald the opening of the new bridge.

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

Leader of Halton 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.”

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

As revealed earlier today, the bridge could open to traffic as early as mid-September.

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 details about the event will be released when the bridge opening date is confirmed.

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 stay cable 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.

Motorists are advised to visit merseyflow.co.uk to register.