For the first time, passersby can now get a sense of how the long-awaited Narrow Water Bridge will eventually span the waterway between County Louth and Down with two new 65m metre structures appearing in the historic waterway this week.

Few cross-border projects have garnered as much public interest as the construction of the €102 million bridge, and the latest development gives the first visible glimpse of the extent of the structure once it is completed.

Designed by belfast based AM Consulting Engineers, the complex system consists of a framework of piles topped with heavy-duty steel beams, known as a fixed-span skid track.

The company confirmed that the gap visible in the centre of the new framework has been left to allow the barge – that will carry the bridge’s three sections – to move into position. Once in place, each section will be carefully lowered from the barge onto the tracks and moved into its final position.

The barge carrying the two major bridge sections and a 98.6m pylon is due to arrive at Warrenpoint Harbour from Belgium in early 2027. Weighing a total of 2245 tonnes, the sections will then be transported upriver.

When the tidal conditions are right, the bridge sections and pylon will be floated into position before being transferred onto the bespoke skid track system and rolled and jacked into place ahead of the construction of the permanent cable-stayed structure.

When complete, the new Narrow Water Bridge will consist of a 138m cable-stayed deck, a 98.6m cable-stayed pylon and a 56m opening span over the navigable channel of the River Newry for boats to pass through.

The bridge is a flagship initiative under the Shared Island Fund and has been designed to accommodate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Speaking about reaching the new engineering and visual milestone, Paul McGreevy, Director of Structures at AM Consulting Engineers, said: “After many months of detailed design, coordination and engineering analysis between AMCE and the main contractor team at BAM, seeing the new structure in place on the River Newry is a major visual and project milestone for the team at AM Consulting Engineers, and we hope, an exciting one for everyone who is looking forward to when the bridge opens.

“While the finished permanent bridge will deservedly attract most of the attention, we’re proud that it’s our temporary works design that will have made its final installation possible. That’s no small feat, and as a local company, and one whose staff members will enjoy using the bridge in the future, it’s fantastic to have the technical expertise in-house to deliver such a crucial part of this landmark project, which is going to transform daily life for so many.”

John Lucy, Director of Civils, BAM UK & Ireland, added: “The construction of the Narrow Water Bridge over the River Newry is a complex and challenging project. It requires careful planning and coordination and can only be successfully delivered with engineering excellence and collaboration. AMCE have been a key delivery partner, and their temporary works design capability has been integral to constructing critical elements of the bridge installation infrastructure. We are extremely pleased with the progress made so far on this project, and we look forward to the next stage of this transformative development.”

The project is being delivered by Louth County Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Shared Island Initiative, with BAM UK & Ireland acting as