LAST UPDATE | 21 Mar 2023
DUBLIN PORT HAS revealed plans for a new bridge across the river Liffey for lorries and a potential future Luas line.
The proposed bridge is part of Dublin Port Company’s plan to redevelop the south port area, known as the Poolbeg Peninsula, which contains nearly one-fifth of the Dublin Port estate.
The plans are known as the 3FM Project.
Under the plans, Dublin Port Company will construct a new 2.2km Southern Port Access Route (SPAR) and with a 190m bridge across the Liffey adjacent to the existing Tom Clarke Bridge and running parallel to the East Link Toll Road.
A 45m section of the bridge would be capable of lifting upwards,
It is envisaged that HGVs and utility vehicles will be taken off other public roads and onto SPAR, and that pedestrians, cyclists and other public transport users will “benefit from a safer, less congested route for active travel across the city”.
The bridge is to have a reservation strip for a possible future Luas connection to Poolbeg.
Dublin Port Company also proposes the construction of a new container terminal beside the Poolbeg Power Station at the east end of the port.
It will be the largest container terminal in Ireland and have 650 metres of new berths and a 50-metre-wide dredged pocket in the river Liffey.
Altogether this terminal will have the capacity to handle 353,000 units annually – more than twice the number of containers handled in all other ports in the country last year.
A period of public consultation will be open until Friday, 28 April.
Commenting on the 3FM project, Dublin Port Chief Executive Barry O’Connell said:
“We are very pleased to be progressing the 3FM project – which literally means “third and final” project of Masterplan 2040.”
“Dublin Port will need to maximise capacity within its existing footprint for an annual throughput of 3.1 million trailers and containers by 2040.”
“Dublin Port Company takes a generational approach to development at the Port – large infrastructure projects take up to 20 years from inception to completion. We know what we have to deliver on to enable Ireland’s growth up to 2040 and beyond,” he said.
There are plans for a ship turning circle in front of Pigeon House Harbour to “provide a safe area for ships to swing around in, either on their arrival into Dublin Port or before they depart”.
The new project includes plans for a new maritime village with provision for local sailing and rowing clubs.
The village would include a new boatyard and boat sheds for use by the clubs, as well as a boat hoist. There would also be a dedicated teaching space for maritime skills training.
There are also plans for extensive community facilities including a 2.8 hectare Port Park and adjacent landscaped area, with 5G floodlit playing pitches and dog run.
This would include 5.5 km of active cycle and pedestrian paths throughout the Poolbeg peninsula.
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