Plans for new bridge will make cycling and walking safer and more pleasurable for Dubliners
The East Link Bridge replaced the numerous ferries that carried traffic across the river. The bridge which is a bascule bridge or a moveable bridge (particularly common in Belgium) was opened to road traffic in 1984. RTÉ noted that, “in its first 12 hours of operation over six thousand vehicles used the bridge.” In the coming years the number of vehicles making the crossing averaged at eight thousand. By the mid-1990s the number of vehicles that crossed the bridge was closer to 18,000, which is similar to today.
Tom Clarke Bridge
Following a ceremony in 2016, which featured then Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, President Michael D. Higgins and Helen Litton, the grandniece of Tom Clarke (1858-1916), the bridge was renamed after this Irish Republican who was executed by firing squad for his part in the 1916 Rising. Yet the change of name would not be the last change.
Problems for Walkers and Cyclists
Besides consistent comments about the bridge being an eyesore it has been judged in particular to be inadequate for cyclists. In 2015 according to IrishCycle.com a uniformed Garda was enforcing a no cycling sign at the Tom Clarke Bridge (cyclists are requested to dismount and walk bicycles). Gareth Brown, chief operations officer at Egis Projects Ireland (which managed the bridge) claimed not to be aware of a Garda presence. However, he noted that the roadway and footpath were very narrow and for safety reasons it had been determined that cyclists should dismount. The Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe, however, said that the bridge was a natural route for cyclists connecting both sides of the city. It would be inappropriate to force cyclists to walk rather than cycle across it.
It appears that the bridge lacked the proper provisions to ensure the safety of all those who crossed it and in 2017 Brendan O’Brien, director of traffic at Dublin City Council confirmed this, and that DCC had started assessing ways in which a proper pedestrian and cycling facility could be incorporated at Tom Clarke Bridge. And that this may include a separate bridge beside the Tom Clarke for cyclists and pedestrians.
The Cycling and Walking life
In the meantime more people had begun to switch from motor vehicles to active mobility. For example, the Walking and Cycling Index of 2021 (the largest assessment of walking and cycling in urban areas in Ireland) indicated a strong surge in walking and cycling. The then Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communication and Transport Eamon Ryan noted that 95% of all residents in the Metropolitan Area walk and one in four of us cycle at least once a week, with high numbers doing so at least five times a week.
The benefits of cycling and walking include not only reducing traffic congestion, or reducing one’s carbon footprint, but making the city healthier, cleaner, quieter and safer. Besides this it offers personal health benefits like enhanced personal mobility and the easing of stress, depression, or anxiety.
A welcome addition
Once the news of a Point Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge and Tom Clarke Widening Project became public, one commenter, on Boards.ie, noted that the new bridge is 100% needed, the current one being “a nasty squeeze with heavy traffic in a wind tunnel for cyclists and pedestrians.” The problems with the existing infrastructure being that the footway which is used by pedestrians as well as cyclists is too hazardous to cycle on as is the road. One cyclist confirmed the current condition, “as very narrow so cars beep at you if you aren’t right against the kerb so they can get past.” Another cyclist noted that on a windy day, it can be lethal on that bridge due to the windswept location.
The New Proposal 2024
Planning and design for the project are part of the Active Travel Network (ATN) initiated by Dublin City Council to bring significant change for Dublin. The ATN has prioritised people-centred, connectivity and sustainable mobility that will contribute to a citywide reduction of transport-related carbon emissions. The Tom Clarke project is funded by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council who note that the specific aim of this project, “is to rectify the insufficient pedestrian and cycling facilities on Tom Clarke Bridge and provide a safe crossing link for pedestrians and cyclists across the River Liffey, as well as enhance existing bridge features of the Tom Clarke Bridge.”
A secondary purpose of the Proposed Development is to undertake necessary upgrades to Tom Clarke Bridge to make provision for a turning lane to North Wall Quay and a potential future turning lane to Sir John Rogerson’s Quay via the Dodder Bridge (proposed as part of the Route 16 BusConnects Ringsend to City Centre Core Bus Scheme).
Tom Clarke Bridge Upgrade
The upgrade to the existing bridge will be achieved by widening the northern and southern bridge deck. This will include replacing elements of the bridge deck furniture (barriers, lighting column and traffic lights). Perhaps the most substantial change is the removal of the existing control building and the installation of a new bridge control building, a three-story control tower in the middle of the bridge. A feature of which is a proposed light pole to be located at the centre of the roof of the building which is 8m in height.
The Point Bridge: Cycling and Walking
The cycling and walking bridge will be directly adjacent to the existing Tom Clarke Bridge in Ringsend and is positioned just west of the Tom Clarke. It will also open in the same way as the Tom Clarke Bridge. The new control building will be used to operate both overpasses. The ‘Point Bridge’ as it is to be known features low level lighting included in the proposed viewing area and will be integrated with seating and planters along the footpath /cycle path in the parapet top rail.
The Architect’s View
Seán Harrington, who designed the Rosie Hackett Bridge just over ten years ago, is currently engaged on the Point Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge and Tom Clarke Widening Project. He noted that the East Link Bridge had been designed purely with cost in mind. “However, right now I’m designing a pedestrian and cycling bridge to go parallel to the Tom Clarke Bridge – in many ways to hide it from view, but also to give extra capacity for pedestrians and cyclists.”
He adds that when, “you’re on the Tom Clarke Bridge, the views of the city are spectacular, so the new bridge – which will open in maybe three years’ time – will allow you to stop and look at the city.” Here I think he is referring to the public realm area with seating, which will allow the public to enjoy scenic views of the River Liffey and Dublin City.
He feels that, “bridge design is a little bit more than just a structural exercise of spanning from one side to the other. It’s the idea that you can bring a bit of magical meaning to the bridge.”
Hopefully this rectifies the problems posed to cyclists and pedestrians, and adds some aesthetic pleasure to people’s lives. What’s more, it is some indication that we are finally prioritising the humble pushbike, at least more than in previous decades. While we have a long way to go before our capital city is as safe for cyclists as say Amsterdam or Copenhagen, any initiative that makes cycling in congested areas more safe and pleasurable is commendable.
The scheme will go to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission at the end of 2024.
