Dutch-built bridge arrives in Dublin
Dublin’s newest bridge designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava arrived in the capital today after a week-long sea journey from Holland.
The Samuel Beckett Bridge, at 120 metres long and 48 metres high, is set to become a landmark across the Liffey when it links Guild Street on the northside with Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the southside.
The steel superstructure built at Graham-Hollandia JV shipyard in Rotterdam was designed to evoke the image of the Irish harp and will be the second Calatrava bridge in the city, after the James Joyce bridge.
Welcoming its arrival, Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne said it will reduce traffic and improve public transport as well as cycling and pedestrian access in the city centre when it opens next year.
“The bridge will have four traffic lanes, cycle tracks and footpaths, and can facilitate bus and light rail in the future,” she said.
“The bridge is a valuable addition to Dublin’s traffic infrastructure in its own right and also enhances other measures Dublin City Council has taken to offer commuters greater choices in recent years.”
Having set off by barge from Holland on Monday last week, the bridge arrived at Dublin’s Docklands this morning and will travel through the Eastlink Bridge during high tide overnight.
It will then be secured next to the south quayside for the next few weeks before being placed on its supporting pier in the Liffey.
The bridge, named in honour of Beckett on the centenary of his birth in 2006, will be able to rotate to an angle of 90 degrees between an open and closed position to allow boats to travel along the river.
Dublin City Engineer Michael Phillips said the bridge, expected to cost €60m euro by the time it is in place, is a stunning piece of design and engineering.
“It’s a cable-stayed bridge – a concept which anyone that has seen the Luas Bridge in Dundrum will be familiar with,” he said.
“This gives it a graceful, almost weightless appearance.
“Its position across the Liffey at Dublin’s maritime gateway sends a confident, forward-looking statement about today’s Dublin.”
