A £19.89 million river crossing is on track to open to traffic by the end of the year.

Warrington Borough Council says its Centre Park link road scheme, which aims to cut congestion, is progressing on schedule.

Construction of the new bridge crossing over the River Mersey, from Chester Road, is moving forward, with the 46.5m bridge beams now in place and works under way on the deck and surface of the bridge and supporting walls.

The new bridge is on track to be completed by mid-summer. At the same time, the contractor, Balfour Beatty, is moving ahead with the construction of the new road, drainage installation and footway improvements.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden visited the site to see the progress for himself.

He said: “The Centre Park link scheme will support Warrington’s ongoing growth and transform journeys around one of our most busy road networks.

“It’s fantastic to see this scheme – so vital to Warrington’s future growth – moving ahead and taking shape so quickly.”

Cllr Bowden was joined by Cllr Hans Mundry, cabinet member for transportation, highways and public realm.

He said: “It’s all system go, as we approach the completion of the new Mersey River crossing in the summer and the opening of the overall Centre Park link scheme at the end of the year.

“I’m delighted that the project is progressing so well.”

The new bridge across the Mersey, from Chester Road, just north of Gainsborough Road, will join onto an extended Slutchers Lane, leading from Wilson Patten Street.

A new signal controlled junction is to be constructed at each end of the new link on Chester Road and Wilson Patten Street.

A number of partners have provided the funding for the £19.89 million project.

A total of £5.3 million has been contributed by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership via the Local Growth Fund.

Furthermore, the Government, via Homes England, has contributed £3.7 million as part of the Housing Infrastructure Fund, with the remainder of the funding to come from council borrowing.