THE Mersey Gateway has won special recognition at the North West Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Awards 2018.

In recognition of ICE's bicentenary and a phenomenal feat of engineering, the Mersey Gateway project has been awarded the ICE 200 Special Award.

Originally shortlisted for the large project and community categories, the ICE recognised the project’s world class engineering feats and its positive impact on the local communities and decided to acknowledge the project and the team as part of a unique category.

Alan Williams, ICE North West regional chairman said: “Every once in a while, a project takes place that truly transforms the landscape and showcases excellence in civil engineering practice.

"In this, the Institution of Civil Engineers’ bicentenary year, we were delighted to single out the Mersey Gateway as such a project and worthy of the ICE 200 Special Award.”

Paul Fenwick, chief Eexecutive of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said, “Everyone at the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board is delighted that the Mersey Gateway Bridge has been bestowed with this ICE 200 Special Award. It brings recognition that the bridge is an elegant icon for the north west region and life changing for Halton; truly a bridge to prosperity.”

Hugh O’Connor, general manager of Merseylink Limited said “This is and has been the project of a lifetime for many of us, with a total of some five million hours worked over the last three and a half years; an excellent safety record, delivered on time and to the highest quality standards.

"We take great pride in observing some 70,000 vehicles per day making use of this new part of the road network in the north west, safely and much quicker than before.

"A huge success, brought about by the amalgamation of expertise from the UK and around the world, which has made journeys much easier and has also brought a lot of benefits to the local communities and businesses, we are delighted to have been involved in such a prestigious project.”