[3] As part of the regeneration of the Hulme district, it was decided to construct a new bridge to rejoin the two sections of the road, and also to provide a local landmark.

[2][4] The reference for the design of the bridge was Eero Saarinen's Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

[4] The deck is supported by twenty-two 51 mm diameter[5] spiral steel cables originating from both sides of a 25 metres (82 ft) high arch.

The parabolic arch is made of six prefabricated trapezoid steel box sections, and spans the bridge diagonally.

The deck is supported by piled abutments, which incorporate areas for bearing and expansion joint inspection and maintenance.

[2] The bridge was formally opened on 10 May 1997 by Alex Ferguson[2] in a ceremony including the Lord Mayor of Manchester and Tony Wilson.