This proposal is to build a bridge across the top of Carlingford Lough where it meets the Newry River. The bridge would cross the narrowest point, at Narrow Water Castle, which is about a mile north west of Warrenpoint connecting the A2 Newry to Warrenpoint dual-carriageway to the R173 in county Louth

close to Omeath. The bridge would be unusual in that it would cross the international border.

The Irish National Development Plan, launched in January 2007, set aside a large sum of money for projects in Northern Ireland and on cross-border schemes and on 25 January 2007, the BBC quoted SDLP's PJ Bradley as saying that the Irish government had assured him that they would contribute €14m to the scheme. There is no word yet on whether or not the Northern Ireland government would contribute money to the scheme. This would determine whether or not it would go ahead.

Originally three routes were proposed, but the "orange" route was selected (see map below). The proposed design for the bridge was then released. This design is a cable-stayed bridge, with the main support on the southern side, and a smaller moveable section on the north side which will be able to move to let ships through. The whole bridge will have length of 280 metres, with two towers of 100 metres and 30 metres in height.

It should be noted that, as yet, the Northern Ireland authorities have not yet committed to the scheme. Roads Service have said that they "understand that the council is undertaking a technical study and it has agreed to share the results with DRD Roads Service when complete".

Maps and Images

Artist's impression of the new bridge, released to the public Oct 2008. [via Irish Independent]

Plan view of the new bridge, as of Oct 2008, showing the channel tha boats will use to get under the bridge. [Released to the public Oct 2008]

Route options as presented to the public in May 2008  (NI to top right, RoI to bottom left).
The planners have since settled on the orange route.

Local Opinions

The scheme's aim is apparently to improve communications between each bank of Carlingford Lough

and hence stimulate the local economy and tourism. However, local people I have spoken to say that the scheme is not ideally sited, and would be better located either closer to Omeath or closer to Newry. They also argue that the R173 is not of sufficient quality to meet the road's stated aims. Local Unionist politician Danny Kennedy said that "This is a misty-eyed project that has no economic benefit for the Newry area." However, PJ Bradley said that "This announcement will help develop and expand the north-eastern economic corridor and give a new impetus to tourism in the area".

Progress

21 Oct 2008: The latest public consultation happened yesterday. The planners have decided on the orange route connecting directly to the existing roundabout on the A2 Warrenpoint Road. The planners also released pictures of the proposed bridge - see above.

24 May 2008: Louth County Council, who are in charge of these early stages of the scheme, held public consultations on 19 and 20 May. The feasibility study is now over, and has concluded that the scheme is viable. The next stage is to look at the engineering issues around the scheme and to that end three possible locations for the bridge were proposed - as shown above. A further public consultation is expected in August.