A NEW BRIDGE which is set to cross the Newry River and link Omeath, Co Louth and Warrenpoint, Co Down has been given planning permission.
The cross-border decision was made by both An Bord Pleanála and the Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Alex Attwood.
The total length of the bridge will be 660 metres and will connect Cornamucklagh, near Omeath in Co Louth with Narrow Water in Co Down.
(Roughan O’Donovan/YouTube)
The Cathaoirleach for Louth County Council, Councillor Finnan McCoy welcomed the announcement, saying:
There is now great momentum behind the project which – as well as its economic benefits – can serve as a powerful symbol of the great strides forward made in this region over the last 20 years as the Peace Process has unfolded. The bridge will be a link in every sense and I now look forward to progress continuing on securing funding.
It is now hoped that funding for the bridge, which it’s believed will cost in the region of €18 million, can be obtained from INTERREG IVA, an EU initiative which aims to enhance cross-border cooperation between countries.
The initiative has made €30 million available for Northern Ireland, its border region with the Republic of Ireland, and the west of Scotland.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Barry Corrigan from consulting engineers Roughan and O’Donovan said that construction work on the bridge is set to commence in mid-2013, in order to ensure its completion by mid-2015.
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