The project team and its expert advisors will now spend the next few weeks assessing the three bids against a set of detailed criteria that focuses on both quality and value for money.
Mersey Gateway project director Steve Nicholson, head of Halton Borough Council procurement centre of excellence Lorraine Cox and councillor John Stockton, Halton Borough Council’s executive board member for transportation
The bidding teams have spent 18 months working on their plans to win the 30-year contract to design, build, finance and operate a new toll bridge over the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes, together with associated work in the towns.
An announcement about the identity of the preferred bidder is due in June. The project team remains on track to sign a contract and begin construction work by late 2013/early 2014.
The value of the construction phase of the project, including land, is estimated at US$920 million.
