DUBLIN PORT COMPANY (DPC) today launched its 3FM Project, which will include a brand new bridge across the Liffey.

The project has six main elements, including the new bridge, which will be directly east of the Tom Clarke Bridge (more commonly known as the East Link Bridge), right by the 3Arena.

The new bridge will take heavy goods vehicles off the main road and onto a private road which will connect the north and south port areas.

It is hoped that the new bridge will give pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users a less congested route for active travel across the city by removing the HGVs.

Other aspects of the construction, which is due to begin in 2026, include; the new bridge; the construction of the largest container terminal in the country; the redevelopment of the existing container terminal; the creation of of a 325 metre diameter ship turning circle as well as several other developments of public locations which you can find in full here.

The entire project is at the pre-planning stage and DPC will lodge a planning application with An Bord Pleanála in early 2023. It is asking the public to submit comments and queries on any aspect of the project to: 3fm@dublinport.ie by 31 December 2021.

Dublin Port’s Chief Executive, Eamonn O’Reilly, said there is very little spare capacity for future growth of trade in Dublin Port or in any other port in the country. He said it is important for Dublin Port to plan early to ensure that “we are ready to construct nationally essential port capacity in advance of demand”.

“We are developing Dublin Port based on Masterplan 2040 at an overall estimated cost of €1.6 billion over the 30 years from 2010 to 2040. Port infrastructure is very expensive and, by the end of this year, we will have invested €500 million in the 11 years since 2010.

“Over the next five years, we will invest a further €450 million. We aim to begin to build the €400 million 3FM Project in 2026 and to complete it between 2030 and 2035.”

O’Reilly said that active travel is now a feature of all development plans in the country and the 3FM Project will make a huge contribution to the provision of high-quality walking and cycling routes throughout the Poolbeg Peninsula.

“The new bridge we are proposing as part of the Southern Port Access Route will link this network across the river into the north side of Dublin Port where we already have ten kilometres of cycling and pedestrian routes under development,” he added.