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.

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".