Scheme Overview
The Salmon Weir Bridge Pedestrian Crossing Project entails the construction of a temporary pedestrian crossing across the R863 University Road at Galway Cathedral. It will facilitate safe movements for walkers, wheelers and cyclists, including vulnerable road users. The crossing will connect the footway on University Road near Fisheries Field to Droichead an Dóchais (formerly the Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge).
The temporary pedestrian crossing will be a toucan crossing (i.e. signal controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists use) and will be located on the western side of the Salmon Weir Bridge.
The rationale for constructing a temporary controlled crossing is to facilitate a safe crossing point of the R863 until such time as the construction of the BusConnects Cross City Link project is complete. The Cross City Link Project has received consent on the 27th of September 2024 but is currently the subject of an ongoing Judicial Review.
Traffic and pedestrian surveys at this location indicate high demand for this crossing. Pedestrian counts at peak time (13:00hrs) indicate that approximately 360 pedestrians cross the R863 at this location (i.e. almost 6 pedestrians per minute). Throughout a typical day, approximately 2,000 people (i.e. one every 22 seconds) cross the road at this point. All of these pedestrians could potentially use the temporary crossing.
Of the total number of pedestrians crossing the River Corrib at this location, 76% use Droichead an Dóchais, 24% use the Salmon Weir Bridge which also carries thousands of vehicles each day. The proposed temporary pedestrian crossing will encourage more people to choose to cross the road at this point and avail of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge, Droichead an Dóchais.
Observations and submissions in respect of the proposed measures should be made through this online form
or
in writing and addressed to
Mr. Derek Pender,
Director of Services, Project Management and Capital Development,
Galway City Council,
College Road,
Galway
or
emailed to ActiveTravel@GalwayCity.ie
before 4.00 p.m. on the 28 of April 2025.
