Portumna

Galway’s new pedestrian and cycle bridge, Droichead an Dóchais, has been shortlisted for a prestigious international engineering award.&nbsp;
The bridge, which opened in May 2023, is among eight projects in the running for the International Bridge Project of the Year award at the upcoming New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards in London.&nbsp;
Other bridges shortlisted are in the United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada, India, France and China (two projects). The overall winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on July 18th.

<img src="https://d2hz75cbudexsj.cloudfront.net/insideAppNews/images/c201eb4d-c363-407b-bd97-7914be6a8893.jpg" alt="undefined" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

<h4>An Iconic Landmark:</h4>
Droichead an Dóchais is the first new bridge to span the Corrib in over 30 years. Crafted in the shape of a salmon, it reflects the culture and heritage of fishing in the salmon-rich River Corrib.&nbsp;
It has created a new public space for locals and tourists alike to take in the wildlife, natural and built heritage around them while crossing the three water courses below - the River Corrib, Peresse’s Distillery River and Friar’s River.
Paved with flamed Kilkenny limestone, the layout of the stone on both approaches compliments the pattern of the stonework on Galway Cathedral, to the west, and the Convent of Mercy to the east.&nbsp;
It is fully accessible for people with impaired mobility, with ramps on either side.
<h4>Sustainable and Safe:</h4>
The need for a new pedestrian and cycle crossing of the River Corrib was first identified in the Galway Transport Strategy.&nbsp;
Consultants Arup led the options appraisal and planning application process of this project, and Seán Harrington was appointed as the lead architect.
AtkinsRéalis led the detailed design and construction stages, and Jons Civil Engineering were appointed as the main contractor.&nbsp;
Thompson of Carlow fabricated the steel structure of the bridge, which was transported to Galway and lifted into place in December 2022. The bridge was opened to the public ahead of schedule in May 2023.

<img src="https://d2hz75cbudexsj.cloudfront.net/insideAppNews/images/5193425b-47f4-4b5a-bad8-e247ff18b717.jpg" alt="undefined" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Colm Ó Ríordáin, Senior Engineer with Galway City Council’s Active Travel Department, says this recognition for the project is a testament to all of those who worked to deliver it.&nbsp;
“I’m delighted that Droichead an Dóchais has been shortlisted for this important award. This showcases, on an international stage, Galway City Council’s commitment to delivering high-quality public infrastructure, and to promoting and encouraging sustainable transport within the city.&nbsp;
“I want to pay particular thanks to all of those who helped to deliver Droichead an Dóchais, including City Councillors, the staff of Galway City Council, our funding partners, and all of the companies and stakeholders whose combined efforts have helped make the city a safer, more attractive space for those walking, wheeling and cycling.”
This development was funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Active Travel Programme and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), co-funded Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme, administered by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

Galway’s New Bridge Shortlisted for International Award

DOWNLOAD AND XPLORE