The Government of the Republic of Ireland is looking for a contractor to build a bascule bridge connecting Northern Ireland and the Republic. Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, visited Warrenpoint to unveil the project, which will connect County Down and County Louth. Although it was first proposed in the mid-1970s, the current Narrow Water Bridge project began in 2008 when Louth County Council hired Roughan O’Donovan Consulting Engineers to prepare design proposals.
A previous attempt to build the bridge was called off in 2013. This was after estimated construction costs rose “significantly higher” than expected. To accommodate vehicular traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians, the currently proposed type of bridge includes a combination of fixed cable-stayed spans and a rolling bascule bridge design.
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The bascule bridge will allow vessels to travel along the Newry river
The bascule section is required for the bridge to open and allow vessels to travel along the Newry river. The bridge will span 280 meters. Consequently, it will connect the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway in Northern Ireland with the road to the Omeath village in County Louth in the Republic of Ireland.
“This is a significant and symbolic project for the northeast. It will directly connect the Cooley Peninsula to coastal County Down. Furthermore, it is a project with strong community support on both sides of the border,” Martin said. “Today’s announcement is a vital next step in the delivery of this long-awaited project. This is as well as another demonstration of the Shared Island Fund in action.”
Michael Savage, chair of Newry, Mourne, and Down District Council, said the start of tendering was a “momentous step forward.” Subject to government approval, a contractor is expected to be appointed next year.
