A new €1.1 billion bridge over the River Liffey has been unveiled as part of the third and final phase of the Dublin Port 2040 Plan, designed by Moxon Architects in collaboration with COWI and RPS. The new bridge aims to divert port traffic from the public road network and reduce congestion on the nearby Tom Clarke Bridge.

After 15 years in duration, the planning aims to increase the port's capacity by providing infrastructure connecting the northern and southern halves of the port, responding to a growing demand for cargo and freight services between continental Europe and Ireland. 

This new landmark is designed as an integral part of the South Harbour Access Route (SPAR), and will form part of a 7km network of cycling and walking routes on the Poolbeg Peninsula and the River Liffey.

The innovative idea of ​​the opening mechanism was central to the approach of the project team formed by Moxon Architects and COWI, as it defined its materiality. Pedestrian and cyclist circulations will be separated from vehicle circulations by vertical structural beams, which form part of the main load-bearing structure of the bridge. This contributes to shaping a slender side profile for the bridge, while at the same time improving pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The main active traffic flow will be located on the eastern side of the crossing, providing an unobstructed view of the sea, while the opposite side could transform its use in the future and be exploited by Dublin’s Luas tram system. The new crossing will be the easternmost road bridge over the River Liffey and will allow for rapid road transport of containers from the port to a separate rail facility in the vicinity of the North Harbour.

Puente SPAR de Dublín por Moxon Architects y COWI. Visualización por Moxon Architects.
Dublin’s SPAR Bridge by Moxon Architects and COWI. Rendering by Moxon Architects.

Supported by two reclining steel arms, we find a reconstituted granite counterweight located on a pair of pivots separate from the opening platform. The counterweight arms engage the girders in the open and closed position, generating a choreographed opening sequence as the two elements pass each other. The counterweight comes into play earlier in the opening sequence than is the case with a typical bascule bridge, due to the spacing of the pivots, thereby reducing energy use and carbon.

Together, they form a symbolic gateway to Dublin Port over the causeway and will form a sleek, contemporary addition to Dublin’s riverside cityscape. The main leaf of the SPAR Bridge is aligned with the existing 30.5m wide navigation channel, allowing unhindered stops for ships. An additional 20.5m wide navigation channel, used by the local community, has also been retained, aligning the position of the piers with those of the nearby Tom Clarke Bridge. The V-shaped piers help to visually break up the mass of the bridge thanks to their oblique shape, giving it a singular identity. At night, the bridge's walkway effect will be enhanced by lighting along its arms.

Puente SPAR de Dublín por Moxon Architects y COWI. Visualización por Moxon Architects.
Dublin’s SPAR Bridge by Moxon Architects and COWI. Rendering by Moxon Architects.

“We are pleased to be working with our long-time collaborators COWI on our first project in Dublin - the centre of which has seen significant development in recent years and has expanded to meet the edge of the Port. The SPAR Bridge sits on this boundary and plays a key role in the development of this area, providing improved active travel connections across the River Liffey and opening up new views of the Port. Our design solution for the opening mechanism provides a dramatic opening sequence which both helps to reduce carbon and create a new landmark for the area, transforming the seaport to provide essential links between the north and south.”

Richard Thebridge, Associate at Moxon.

“COWI is delighted to be involved with the Third and Final Masterplan (3FM) project, which will unlock significant additional capacity within Dublin Port. The SPAR bridge forms a vital component within the scheme, enabling better usage of the Port’s existing land on the Poolbeg Peninsula. By removing heavy goods vehicles from the Tom Clarke Bridge, the bridge will also bring significant benefits to the wider Dublin transport network. We used an innovative opening mechanism, which allowed the counterweight to be more effective and its size was chosen to minimise the lifetime carbon emissions for both construction and operation.”

Oliver Stross, Project Director, COWI in the UK.

Puente SPAR de Dublín por Moxon Architects y COWI. Visualización por Moxon Architects.
Dublin’s SPAR Bridge by Moxon Architects and COWI. Rendering by Moxon Architects.

“For business, the 3FM project means essential port infrastructure that supports Ireland’s export ambitions into the future. For the local community and future residents, it creates new and enhanced public amenities, including a world class Maritime Village, 7km of pedestrian and cycle routes, a new public park and wildflower meadow as well as a floodlit playing pitch. We are very grateful to the many contributors for their input into this plan, which will transform our lands on the Poolbeg Peninsula for the port, the city and its residents.” 

Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive at Dublin Port Company.

Formal consultation is expected to conclude in September 2024, with construction of the 3FM project expected to begin in the late 2020s and the SPAR Bridge completed in the late 2030s.

This development is one of several infrastructure projects Moxon Architects has collaborated with COWI on, including Dukes Meadow in West London, Hampton Bridge in Worcestershire, as well as ongoing work for HS2.

More information

Label
Authors
+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Collaborators
Text

Structural Engineer.- COWI.
3FM Main Consultant.- RPS (Delivering Environmental, Design and Consultancy services at Planning Stage).
Mechanical engineer.- Eadon.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Client
Text

Dublin Port Company.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Dates
Text

2024.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Location
Text

Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Budget
Text

€1.1 billion.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Rendering
+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Moxon Architects. Founded in 2004, Moxon has attracted major clients in a variety of sectors, from national rail providers to leading cultural institutions. Among them: Transport for London, Hauser & Wirth and the City of Westminster.
 
Moxon prides itself on a diverse team that allows the practice to provide multi-disciplinary solutions for clients in any category – commercial, residential, product design, or public. The practice is committed to sustainability and beauty throughout each project.  
 
The practice is split across its two offices in London and in Aberdeenshire.

Ben Addy, Managing Director. BArch DipArch [Dist.] ARB RIBA RIAS.
Tim Murray, Director. BSc [Hons] DipArch ARB RIBA.
Ezra Groskin, Associate. BSc MArch DipArch ARB RIBA.
Read more

COWI. Leading consulting group founded by engineer Christen Ostenfeld in Copenhagen with 90 years of experience in the sector, leader in its field just as its more than 7,200 employees. Together with its clients, COWI creates coherence in the sustainable societies of tomorrow.

The group creates value for clients, people and society through a unique 360° approach. Drawing on world-class competencies in engineering, economics and environmental sciences, it addresses challenges from multiple points of view to create coherent solutions for our clients.

With offices around the world, the group combines global presence with local knowledge to take on projects anywhere in the world, regardless of size. At any given time, it is involved in more than 12,000 projects.

Read more
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...