“A shining example of North/South co-operation” – O’Dowd
The €500 million cross-border ‘Shared Island’ initiative has allocated €3 million to progress work on the Narrow Water Bridge which will span Carlingford Lough to connect Counties Down and Louth.
The bridge is planned to cross the border at the narrowest point of Carlingford Lough at Narrow Water Castle, connecting the A2 Newry to Warrenpoint dual carriageway to the R173 in county Louth close to Omeath.
The scheme, which is expected to provide a great boost to tourim onboth sides of the border, has been on the drawing boards for several years but has been on hold for quite some time whilst discussions continued on who would pay for it.
In February this year the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, met with Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Louth Council to discuss the way forward in delivering the bridge.
At that meeting, both councils and the Minister affirmed their commitment to the New Decade New Approach project and committed to working in partnership to make long awaited progress.
Minister Mallon said: “The Narrow Water Bridge project is a key all-island, transformative project that will improve connectivity but also open up opportunities for our island economy and tourism in particular.
Local TD Fergus O’Dowd, who is also Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, has welcomed the latest funding announcement describing the project as “a shining example of what can be achieved through working together and building a shared future.”
“The €3m will progress this project to tender stage, based on the existing design of a 280 m cable stay bridge anchored by two towers which already has planning permission” he said.
“This is truly a cross border project and when constructed will greatly assist tourism and trade and connectivity in the east border region North and South. There will also be a huge spin off for active travel and recreation, including greenways, and park walkways etc.
“The second phase will be the allocation of funding to build the bridge which will follow due diligence on the likely final costs and the selection of the successful tender.
“The Narrow Water Bridge when completed will be a great example of cross border consensus and co-operation. Peace and reconciliation really works” he said.
North Louth Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan said the bridge is a symbol for Ireland’s future.
“A symbol to draw a line on the past by respecting it, acknowledging that past but it is also about building bridges, forging relationships, and moving on to the next 100 years of this island’s story. The people either side of Carlingford Lough are so close – culturally, geographically and yet we have been divided.
“This bridge is a symbol of the future and I am so proud to be the Fianna Fáil representative in this area bringing this project to the next stage.
“I want to thank the Louth County Council Chief Executive, Joan Martin, for her commitment to this project. Joan Martin has gone out on a limb on several occasions to keep this project alive. I also want to thank Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure, Nicola Mallon MLA, who has been instrumental in this announcement also.”
