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* A Prior Information Notice has been issued for the Narrow Water Bridge project at Warrenpoint signalling a Tendering process is in the pipeline. This should ultimately see an iconic bridge constructed at Narrow Water, a signature tourist attraction for the entire Newry, Cooley, Ring of Gullion and Mournes area. The bridge has been discussed for many many years and at last it seems that it will become reality. The notice says it is expected that the contract will start in mid 2023 and should take 3 years to build.
The structure will be an opening bridge to, as the tender says "enables tall ships, leisure craft and other marine vessels access to the Victoria Lock and the Albert Basin in Newry"
Present proposals by the Department for Infrastructure for the Southern Relief Road Bridge over Newry Ship Canal,just a few miles away favour a 'fixed bridge' design, but it seems unlikely that this would now go ahead as a fixed structure, considering it would essentially block access to the Albert Basin for tall ships, leisure craft and other marine vessels, the complete opposite aim of the Narrow Water Bridge!
Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, the group that have been campaigning for many years for the bridge welcomed the latest move forward. A Spokesperson said "The Narrow Water Bridge Community Network is pleased to announce that Louth County Council has finally issued a tender * [PIN] for the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge.
"This tremendous news has been awaited by several generations of people of the Carlingford Lough area. The Narrow Water Bridge will provide the critical and transformative infrastructure, absent for too long, creating an economic lifeline to struggling communities around the lough. In addition to the major sustainable and active tourist opportunities, the bridge will be truly a bridge for the 21st century - fully integrated into comprehensive active travel network for the entire South Down and North Louth area."
The community group Spokesperson continued "The NWBCN would like thank all those in the communities around the lough, local businesses and individuals (who have provided much needed sponsorship) who have supported the NWBCN down the years. We also would like to thank elected politicians and officials both North and South. A special note of thanks must however go to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the former Stormont Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon for their tireless efforts and commitment in getting the project to this stage."
The * PIN information explains "Narrow Water Bridge is a asymmetric cable-stayed bridge with rolling bascule opening span. The south span is approximately 138.35m and the north span is approximately 56.8m giving a total length of approximately 195m. The structure is supported by asymmetric back-ward inclined towers, with the higher tower located on the southern side of the crossing and is located on the centre line of the bridge. The lower twin towers on the northern side form part of the rolling bascule opening span.
"Narrow Water Bridge project a proposed bridge link between the Cooley Peninsula area in County Louth and the Warrenpoint and Mourne area in County Down. It is a cable-stayed bridge with rolling bascule opening span that enables tall ships, leisure craft and other marine vessels access to the Victoria Lock and the Albert Basin in Newry, Co. Down.
"It also comprises associated roadworks, earthworks, drainage, mechanical and electrical works, retaining walls, buildings, a navigation beacon, access roads, services diversions, fendering and boundary treatment."
The PIN also explains how the opening bridge would be controlled "A control building is proposed on the southern approach to the bridge to facilitate the opening of the bascule bridge. Signage, barriers and wig-wags will be provided in advance of the structure to inform road users of the bridge opening and to prevent road users from accessing the bridge during the bridge opening operation."
Applicants need to register on the etenders government website at http://www.etenders.gov.ie. Market Sounding / Industry Day is scheduled for Friday 24th June 2022 at Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Co Down from 10am - 12 Noon GMT comprising of a presentation and Q&A. Interested parties will be required to submit an expression of interest in advance of the Industry Day to eugene.mcmanus@louthcoco.ie
Check out full information at irl.eu-supply.com
* 3/6/22 Correction: Apologies notification was a Prior Information Notice (PIN) regarding a future Tender and NOT the Tender itself!
