Public excitement is building ahead of the arrival of the first section of the Narrow Water Bridge, with confirmation that a section of the bridge span is currently on a barge in Belgium, due to begin its journey to the Louth-Down border later this month.
The September meeting of Dundalk Municipal District heard that the vessel is expected to depart for the Irish Sea in the next two weeks.
Cllr Marianne Butler said she had come across many reports that sections of the bridge would arrive by sea, adding that there is a lot of public interest in the delivery.
“Can we have the name of the ship or the barge so we can track it coming up the Irish Sea?” she asked.
The arrival of the bridge span is expected to provide the first real glimpse of what the completed structure will look like, with the project moving into one of its most visible phases since construction began.
The Narrow Water Bridge will provide an historic new crossing between Omeath and Warrenpoint, creating a direct link between the Cooley Peninsula and south Down.
Providing an update to members, Senior Engineer John O’Hagan said the first bridge section is ready for transport and is scheduled to leave Belgium in mid-September.
Once it arrives the structure will be delivered to Warrenpoint Port before being transferred to the nearby Narrow Water site where construction work has been continuing at pace.
Mr O’Hagan acknowledged the public interest in the project, saying the council have already discussed ways of allowing people to track the vessel’s progress.
“We have been looking at ways of tracking.. and showcasing it as best as possible,” he said.
He added that the bridge section is expected to arrive in October, after which a six-week operation will be required to move it up the river channel. The timetable will be dependent on tides and other environmental conditions.
Mr O’Hagan said councillors would continue to receive regular updates as the project progresses.
Meanwhile, Cllr Fiona Conchoille sought an update on works at the nearby Cornamucklagh roundabout, where traffic management measures remain in place.
She noted that while signage has been erected, large numbers of traffic cones continue to line the route.
In response, Mr O’Hagan said the roundabout remains under traffic management while work on the bridge project continues
He explained that although the cones are “unsightly” they are required under the traffic management plan and will remain in place until the final turn-off serving the bridge is completed and opened.
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