New bridge to open in Cork city later this year

The installation of the northern bridge of the Beamish and Crawford Quarter public realm scheme began on Tuesday, with the deck of the bridge being lifted into place.

The new pedestrian and cycle bridge will provide a connection between Wandesford Quay/Crosse’s Green through Lambley’s Lane to South Main Street, the council said.

Following the installation of bridge arches, surfacing, painting and additional works, it is scheduled to be open to the public in October or November this year.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: “The bridge will significantly enhance eastward connectivity from the city centre, promoting sustainable travel and improving access for both pedestrians and cyclists.”

The new bridge is the second pedestrian bridge to be installed linking to the site of the proposed event centre. The first, a southern bridge linking to French’s Quay/Proby’s Quay, was lifted into place in April.

The bridges are part of a larger project, the Beamish and Crawford Quarter and Bishop Lucey Park Renewal scheme, which aims to improve the public realm and access in and around the medieval core of the city.

This includes access to Elizabeth Fort, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and the proposed event centre. As part of the scheme, Bishop Lucey Park is currently being revamped — it has been closed since December 2023, and is set to reopen at the end of this year.

The project also consists of public realm improvements to South Main St, Tobin St, Tuckey St, South Gate Bridge, Proby’s Quay, Frenches Quay, Crosses Green, Clarkes Bridge and Wandesford Quay. Remedial repairs and vegetation removal from the quay walls along Frenches Quay, Proby’s Quay and Crosses Green will also be provided, with the entire scheme expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, timelines for the event centre remain uncertain. It is currently being overseen by a project development board, led by assistant chief executive of Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, but a re-tendering process, which began at the end of last year, is expected to take a further four to 10 months.