Securing visual quality and architectural intent while aiming for an affordable tender design - the procurement of the Mersey Gateway Crossing

Since its announcement in 2005, the Mersey Gateway Crossing Project between Runcorn and Widnes is getting close to its completion. The 9.5km long bypass corridor project, featuring a 1000m long three pylon cable stay bridge, becomes a precedent on a procurement route that allowed its client, Halton Borough Council, to maintain a high quality design intent while controlling the budget of a project, which was under increasing pressure as regards affordability, due to economic downturn. With the help of infrastructure specialist Knight Architects the client managed to outline areas of greater flexibility and key design requirements. The resulting descriptive Design and Access Statement, was a key reference document in the subsequent Competitive Dialogue. Using the Mersey Gateway as an example, the paper will explore how the choice of the right procurement route enables to realise a major infrastructure project of high functional and architectural quality, while allowing the client to remain in control of both budget and design, significantly improving its chances to be supported by the public.