Mary Elmes is on her way
Cork’s new bridge is making its way by barge into the city with plans to slot it into place this weekend.
The Mary Elmes Bridge was lifted on to the barge in Cobh on Monday under the watchful eye of Cork City Council’s marine architects.
The 165 tonne pedestrian and cycle bridge which will connect Patricks Quay and Merchants Quay and will be used by up to 11,000 people each day, was fabricated by Thompsons of Carlow.
In February and March, it was transported overnight in nine sections to Doyle’s Shipping Yard opposite Cobh train station.
On Monday, the bridge was lifted onto a barge using the combined lifting power of a 500 tonne crane and a 750 tonne crane.
Two tugboats will assist the barge as it travels upriver to the bridge’s new home.
It’s expected that it will pass under Brian Boru Bridge, near the Clayton Hotel Lapps Quay, today (Thursday) or tomorrow before being deposited on the city quays, awaiting lift.
The same two 500 and 750 tonne cranes, which lifted the bridge in Cobh, will be erected on Merchants Quay and St Patrick’s Quay late on Friday night.
On Saturday, subject to suitable weather conditions, the cranes will raise the bridge’s superstructure from the barge and place it on the newly-built supports on the quays.
Traffic diversions will begin on Merchants Quay and St Patrick’s Quay from 10pm on Friday as the cranes are erected.
It’s expected that the bridge installation will be completed and the cranes removed the following day, weather permitting.
Alternative traffic routes will be in operation:
• Merchants Quay eastbound traffic will be diverted via Bridge Street, Mac Curtain Street and Brian Boru Street.
• St Patrick’s Quay westbound traffic will be diverted via Brian Boru Bridge, Andersons Quay,
Custom House Street, N27 Albert Street, Old Station Road, Sullivan’s Quay. Merchants Quay.
• Westbound traffic will
be diverted via Andersons Quay, Custom House Street, N27 Albert St, Old Station Road, Sullivan’s Quay.