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Displaying items by tag: Narrow Water Bridge

Work will soon begin on a new road span linking Co Louth and Co Down across the Carlingford Lough narrows after the awarding of the construction contract to BAM Ireland for the Narrow Water Bridge.

Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed the announcement on Monday evening (13 May), saying it will be “transformative for south Down and the Cooley areas, creating a wealth of opportunities and unlocking the huge potential to create good quality jobs, boost tourism and create a stronger, all-Ireland economy”.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the 280m cable-stayed bridge will connect the A2 Newry-to-Warrenpoint dual carriageway with the R173 at Omeath and can open to allow for passage of boats to and from the Newry Canal.

The €60 million project, which is expected to take three years to complete, has been a longstanding commitment of the Government and is a key commitment in Stormont’s New Decade, New Approach agreement.

LMFM News reports that the news came as a surprise to politicians south of the border, who had been planning for a later announcement.

Louth TD Ruairí Ó Múrchú believes the ‘leak’ may have happened when a construction industry news feed was picked up by the BBC in Northern Ireland.

“I can’t imagine Louth County Council, being the lead partner being particularly happy with this,” Ó Múrchú said.

LMFM News has more on the story HERE.

Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.