Boyne River Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Boyne River Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge
in County Meath, Ireland
. It spans the Boyne River
3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of Drogheda
on the county boundary between County Meath and County Louth and is part of the M1 Northern Motorway. (It was the longest such bridge in the Republic of Ireland until 19 October 2009, when the River Suir Bridge
opened on the N25.) Due to environmental concerns, an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) was carried out for the bridge separately from the M1 EIS -- the first such formal EIS carried out and published for a bridge in Ireland.
In 2006 the bridge won the Excellence Award (Civil) from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland. The bridge was built from 2000 to 2003 and was designed by Roughan and O’Donavan, who were awarded the ACEI Presidential Award in 2005 for the design.
took place in 1690.
The answer was a cable-stayed bridge. Although at a cost of €35 million it would be more expensive than a standard road bridge, it could incorporate a much longer main span without the need for supports in the river, so the engineers could protect the river and the island from any interference. It would also look attractive, with a tall pylon at the south side and cable stays fanning out from it, supporting the main structure.
Opened on 9 June 2003, the bridge is managed under a public private partnership between the National Roads Authority
on behalf of the Irish Government and a private company, Celtic Roads Group. The concession company has an obligation to maintain the road for 30 years.
The bridge and motorway is tolled in both directions to finance its construction and maintenance.
This Bridge recently won the 2006 Excellence Award (Civil) from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland.
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
in County Meath, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It spans the Boyne River
Boyne River
Boyne River may refer to:* River Boyne in Ireland* Boyne River , a tribuatry of the Hérault* Boyne River , in Manitoba, Canada* Boyne River , in Michigan, United States...
3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
on the county boundary between County Meath and County Louth and is part of the M1 Northern Motorway. (It was the longest such bridge in the Republic of Ireland until 19 October 2009, when the River Suir Bridge
River Suir Bridge
The River Suir Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the River Suir in Ireland. It was built as part of the N25 Waterford Bypass, and opened to traffic on the 19 October 2009, some ten months ahead of schedule...
opened on the N25.) Due to environmental concerns, an Environmental Impact Statement
Environmental impact statement
An environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...
(EIS) was carried out for the bridge separately from the M1 EIS -- the first such formal EIS carried out and published for a bridge in Ireland.
In 2006 the bridge won the Excellence Award (Civil) from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland. The bridge was built from 2000 to 2003 and was designed by Roughan and O’Donavan, who were awarded the ACEI Presidential Award in 2005 for the design.
Overview
Designing a road bridge over the Boyne was not an easy task. At the chosen point, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) upstream from Drogheda, the ground level on the south is elevated, with a sudden drop while the north bank slopes gradually down to the river. The area is environmentally sensitive, especially the reed beds on the north bank and the flora and fauna of Yellow Island in the middle of the river. The area has a rich heritage as it is also situated adjacent to the area in which the Battle of the BoyneBattle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
took place in 1690.
The answer was a cable-stayed bridge. Although at a cost of €35 million it would be more expensive than a standard road bridge, it could incorporate a much longer main span without the need for supports in the river, so the engineers could protect the river and the island from any interference. It would also look attractive, with a tall pylon at the south side and cable stays fanning out from it, supporting the main structure.
Opened on 9 June 2003, the bridge is managed under a public private partnership between the National Roads Authority
National Roads Authority
The National Roads Authority is a state body in the Republic of Ireland, responsible for the national road network. The NRA was established as part of the Roads Act 1993 and commenced operations on 23 December 1993 in accordance with S.I. 407 of 1993.County councils remain responsible for local...
on behalf of the Irish Government and a private company, Celtic Roads Group. The concession company has an obligation to maintain the road for 30 years.
The bridge and motorway is tolled in both directions to finance its construction and maintenance.
This Bridge recently won the 2006 Excellence Award (Civil) from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland.