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EC Harris has been appointed by Halton Borough Council to provide procurement, commercial and project management advice for the second road crossing of the Mersey in Halton.

The Mersey Gateway is a £335m project primarily involving the construction of a new bridge upstream from the existing Runcorn-Widnes Bridge.

It will provide a vital transport link for the Northwest and will be procured through a mixture of regional transport grants, PFI credits and toll revenue.

The contract was awarded through the Office of Government Commerce. EC Harris has appointed Halcrow to act as subconsultants on the project.

The commission will last for at least five years and involve provision of advice on all commercial and procurement aspects of the project until appointment of the concessionaire. The bridge is due to open in 2014.