Samuel Beckett Bridge
Encyclopedia
Samuel Beckett Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge
in Dublin that joins Sir John Rogerson's Quay on the south side of the River Liffey
to Guild Street and North Wall Quay in the Docklands
area.
The architect is Santiago Calatrava
, a designer of a number of innovative bridges and buildings. This is the second bridge in the area designed by Calatrava, the first being the James Joyce Bridge
, which is further upstream.
Constructed by a "Graham Hollandia Joint Venture", the main span of the Samuel Beckett Bridge is supported by 31 cable stays from a doubly back-stayed single forward arc tubular tapered spar, with decking provided for four traffic and two pedestrian lanes. It is also capable of opening through an angle of 90 degrees allowing ships to pass through. This is achieved through a rotational mechanism housed in the base of the pylon.
The shape of the spar and its cables is said to evoke an image of a harp
lying on its edge. (The harp is a secular icon
for Ireland and things Irish.)
The steel structure of the bridge was constructed in Rotterdam
by Hollandia, a Dutch
company also responsible for the steel fabrication of the London Eye
. The steel span of the bridge was transferred from the Hollandia wharf in Krimpen aan den IJssel
on May 3rd, 2009, with support from specialist transport company ALE Heavylift.
The bridge, which cost €60 million, is named for Irish writer Samuel Beckett
, was officially opened to pedestrians on 10 December 2009 by Dublin Lord Mayor
, Emer Costello
and to road traffic at 7 am the following day.
.
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
in Dublin that joins Sir John Rogerson's Quay on the south side of the River Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
to Guild Street and North Wall Quay in the Docklands
Dublin Docklands
Dublin Docklands is the area of the city of Dublin, Ireland, on both sides of the River Liffey, roughly from Talbot Memorial Bridge eastwards to the Point Depot.It is currently undergoing a large amount of development.-Projects:...
area.
Design and construction
Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava Valls is a Spanish architect, sculptor and structural engineer whose principal office is in Zürich, Switzerland. Classed now among the elite designers of the world, he has offices in Zürich, Paris, Valencia, and New York City....
, a designer of a number of innovative bridges and buildings. This is the second bridge in the area designed by Calatrava, the first being the James Joyce Bridge
James Joyce Bridge
James Joyce Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, joining the south quays to Blackhall Place on the north side....
, which is further upstream.
Constructed by a "Graham Hollandia Joint Venture", the main span of the Samuel Beckett Bridge is supported by 31 cable stays from a doubly back-stayed single forward arc tubular tapered spar, with decking provided for four traffic and two pedestrian lanes. It is also capable of opening through an angle of 90 degrees allowing ships to pass through. This is achieved through a rotational mechanism housed in the base of the pylon.
The shape of the spar and its cables is said to evoke an image of a harp
Clàrsach
Clàrsach or Cláirseach , is the generic Gaelic word for 'a harp', as derived from Middle Irish...
lying on its edge. (The harp is a secular icon
Secular icon
A secular icon is an image or pictograph of a person or thing used for other than religious purpose. -Icons versus symbols:...
for Ireland and things Irish.)
The steel structure of the bridge was constructed in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
by Hollandia, a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
company also responsible for the steel fabrication of the London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
. The steel span of the bridge was transferred from the Hollandia wharf in Krimpen aan den IJssel
Krimpen aan den IJssel
Krimpen aan den IJssel is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality had a population of 28800 in 2006, and covers an area of 8.93 km² of which 1.10 km² is water....
on May 3rd, 2009, with support from specialist transport company ALE Heavylift.
The bridge, which cost €60 million, is named for Irish writer Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
, was officially opened to pedestrians on 10 December 2009 by Dublin Lord Mayor
Lord Mayor of Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin is the honorific title of the Chairman of Dublin City Council which is the local government body for the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The incumbent is Labour Party Councillor Andrew Montague. The office holder is elected annually by the members of the...
, Emer Costello
Emer Costello
Emer Costello is an Irish Labour Party politician and member of Dublin City Council. She was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 2009–10.A native of County Louth she has a B.A. and a H.Dip...
and to road traffic at 7 am the following day.
Criticism
Since launch, both the location of the bridge and the traffic management provisions in place have attracted criticism; with commentators noting that improvements could be made, and that traffic management restrictions that prevent certain turns onto the bridge, are designed to force drivers to use the East-Link Toll BridgeEast-Link (Dublin)
The East-Link is a toll bridge in Dublin, Ireland, on the River Liffey, owned by Dublin City Council and operated by NTR plc. The lifting bridge, which links North Wall to Ringsend, is the last bridge on the Liffey, which opens out into Dublin Port and then Dublin Bay just beyond...
.