Documents outlining the proposed £260m scheme were submitted to the government at the end of last year.
Cllr Tony McDermott, chairman of the Mersey Gateway Campaign and leader of Halton council said: "We have worked very hard over the years to build up a relationship with the Department for Transport at a political level and we want this issue to be at the very top of the new secretary of state's in-tray."
Organisations signing up to the letter include Jaguar, the CBI, Littlewoods, John Lennon airport, United Utilities, Pilkington Glass, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and the ECHO.
It says: "With a powerful and robust proposal in place that commands resounding support, the time is right for a positive statement from government.
"We would now urge your support for the Mersey Gateway so that work can begin to deliver this vital piece of infrastructure for the future economic growth of the north west."
If the government gives the green light, detailed work towards a planning application will step up. A public inquiry would follow and it is hoped the new bridge could be in place by 2012.
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