Picture credit: Photo by . on Unsplash : Picture caption: Dublin’s current easternmost bridge – the harp-like Samuel Beckett Bridge

A dramatic new bridge design for Dublin Port has been submitted for planning approval. The single-leaf bascule bridge will be the easternmost bridge across the River Liffey, creating a new landmark for the area and increasing cargo and freight capacity at the growing port.

The new bridge is part of the port’s 15-year, €1.1bn (£930m) masterplan to increase capacity by 2040, linking the north and south of the port. As well as reducing pressure on the surrounding road network, it will act as a symbolic gateway to the Southern Port Access Route or SPAR. Completion of the bridge is expected by the late 2030s.

The bridge is formed of two reclining steel arms, balanced by a reconstituted granite counterweight. These elements are designed to pivot past each other in a carefully coordinated dance, while the bridge is opened or closed. The size of the counterweight is designed to minimise carbon emissions during construction and during the bridge’s use. The counterweight also comes into play earlier in the opening sequence when compared with a typical bascule bridge, further reducing energy use.

Ships will be able to pass through a 30.5m-wide navigation channel below the bridge, and V-shaped piers will keep another 20.5m-wide channel free for the local community to use.

The bascule bridge will also form part of a 7km active travel network across the Poolbeg Peninsula, with cyclists and pedestrians separated from other vehicles by upstand beams. These beams are also the primary load-bearing structure for the bridge.

Those on foot or on bikes will have the best views, as their route uses the eastern or seaward side of the bridge. As well as these travel options, there is scope for the bridge to convey trams in the future.

The new bridge offers real benefits to the local area and beyond, as demand for cargo and freight services between the continent of Europe and Ireland increases. This project also brings a new maritime village, public park, wildflower meadow and a floodlit playing pitch for use by local football clubs.

Having worked on some of the structural elements of the Canary Wharf bascule footbridge myself – more on remedial work after construction than at the planning stage – it’s clear that one important facet of this project will be safety.

In my experience, you have to look at these projects from the perspective of “what would a complete idiot do?” and then make sure you account for this when designing the sequence of barriers coming down before the lifting mechanism begins. After all, people can be impatient, especially when driving, and we don’t want anyone to end up in the Liffey!

In the meantime, if you need any assistance with the structural elements of an upcoming project, please do get in touch.