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.