Droichead an Dóchais, Galway’s iconic pedestrian and cycle bridge, has been shortlisted for a prestigious international engineering award. The bridge, which opened in May 2023, is among just eight projects in the running for the International Bridge Project of the Year award at the upcoming New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards in London. It represents further recognition for Droichead an Dóchais, which offers a safe, comfortable crossing of the River Corrib for thousands of people each day and has already become a widely recognised landmark in Galway.
The shortlisting of Droichead an Dóchais recognises the extensive work on the project of Galway City Council, consultant engineering firm AtkinsRéalis and principal contractor Jons Civil Engineering. The other bridges shortlisted for this award are in the United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada, India, France and China (two projects). The overall winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on July 18.
The need for a new pedestrian and cycle crossing of the River Corrib was identified in the Galway Transport Strategy. Consultants Arup led the options appraisal and planning application process of this project, and Sean Harrington was appointed as the lead architect. AtkinsRéalis led the detailed design and construction stages, and Jons Civil Engineering were appointed as the main contractor. Thompson of Carlow fabricated the steel structure of the bridge, which was transported to Galway and lifted into place in December 2022. The bridge, then known as the Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge, was opened to the public ahead of schedule in May 2023.
Colm Ó Ríordáin, Senior Engineer with Galway City Council’s Active Travel Department, says this recognition for the project is a testament to all of those who worked to deliver it. “I’m delighted that Droichead an Dóchais has been shortlisted for this important award. This showcases, on an international stage, Galway City Council’s commitment to delivering high-quality public infrastructure, and to promoting and encouraging sustainable transport within the city.
“I want to pay particular thanks to all of those who helped to deliver Droichead an Dóchais, including City Councillors, the staff of Galway City Council, our funding partners, and all of the companies and stakeholders whose combined efforts have helped make the city a safer, more attractive space for those walking, wheeling and cycling.”
Droichead an Dóchais is the first new bridge to span the Corrib in over 30 years. It has also created a new public space for locals and tourists alike to take in the wildlife, natural and built heritage around them while crossing the three water courses below - the River Corrib, Peresse’s Distillery River and Friar’s River.
Droichead an Dóchais is in the shape of a salmon to reflect the culture and heritage of fishing in the salmon-rich River Corrib. It is approximately 85 metres in length and is located just 24 metres south of the existing Salmon Weir Bridge.
The bridge is lightweight and robust, with transparent parapets. It is fully accessible for people with impaired mobility, with ramps on either side. The approach spans from the west and east are paved with flamed Kilkenny limestone, in line with the Galway City Public Realm Strategy. The layout of the limestone on both approaches compliments the facades of Galway Cathedral, to the West, and the Convent of Mercy to the East. Paths from the canal bank on the east side emerge gracefully, gently sloped, with elegant stonework blending in with the canal walls which have been carefully and painstakingly conserved. The Bruach na Coirbe walkway has been extended to tie in with these paths, connecting Droichead an Dóchais with the historic Spanish Arch along a scenic riverside route for those walking, wheeling and cycling.
A glazed oculus, incorporated into both approach spans, represents the eye of a salmon and offers views of the watercourses below.
This development was funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Active Travel Programme and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), co-funded Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme, administered by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
This is not the first awards recognition for Droichead an Dóchais. At the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards, organised by the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, Arup were named winners of the Civil - Small/Medium Project category in recognition of their work as consulting engineers for the planning stage of the project.