A major milestone in the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge in Northern Ireland took place today, with the arrival to Warrenpoint Harbour of the first barge carrying major steel components from Belgium.
The bridge contractor BAM UK & Ireland reached the milestone as the Caroline, carrying an 82-metre bridge deck section and a 114-metre pylon, departed Belgium on 15 October, accompanied by the Multraug 29 tugboat, before travelling through canals in the Netherlands and across the North Sea to Carlingford Lough.
It then travelled along the Newry River to Warrenpoint Harbour, marking a significant step towards the installation of the bridge's main structure.
The new 195-metre, two-span cable-stayed bridge will create a cross-border connection between County Louth in the Republic of Ireland and County Down in Northern Ireland, improving connectivity and supporting tourism, active travel, and economic development across the Carlingford Lough region.
The bridge will connect Cornamucklagh, near Omeath in County Louth, with Narrow Water, near Warrenpoint in County Down, providing a new crossing for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Second barge en-route
A second barge, the Karel Victor, carrying the remaining section of the bridge's fixed span, departed Belgium on 18 October and is expected to take approximately seven days, subject to suitable weather and marine conditions.
Together, the three major steel components weigh approximately 2,245 tonnes and will be installed by BAM UK & Ireland as part of a complex engineering operation over the coming months.
John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer at BAM UK & Ireland, said, "Delivering Narrow Water Bridge is about much more than construction. It requires meticulous planning, specialist engineering, and international collaboration to safely transport and install these enormous structures.
“As the bridge begins to take shape, it marks an important milestone in a project that will strengthen connectivity, support tourism and active travel, and create lasting economic and social benefits for communities on both sides of Carlingford Lough.”
Next phase of construction
The arrival of the steel structures marks the start of a complex installation programme that will see the main span of Narrow Water Bridge take shape over the coming months. The operation is expected to take between eight and 12 weeks, depending on weather and operating conditions.
The bridge's fixed southern span comprises two large deck sections. Deck 1 measures 59 metres long and weighs approximately 725 tonnes, while Deck 2 is 82 metres long and weighs approximately 690 tonnes. The supporting pylon measures 114 metres and weighs approximately 866 tonnes.
As main contractor, BAM UK & Ireland has installed temporary supports and skid tracks in the Newry River to enable the structures to be safely transferred from the barges and moved into position, subject to tidal and weather conditions.
A 1,500-tonne capacity crane is also being assembled on the southern embankment, following the arrival of its components at Warrenpoint Harbour on 14 October. These were then transported to the site in 70 articulated lorry loads. Piled foundations for the temporary tower that will support the pylon have also been completed, while work continues on the bascule chamber and plant room on the northern embankment.
The shorter northern span will incorporate a movable section, known as a bascule span, allowing marine traffic to continue using the Newry River. This is also being fabricated by a Belgian steel specialist Aelterman and is expected to arrive on site in October 2027.
Main construction work is currently expected to be completed in the final quarter of 2027, followed by testing and commissioning, with the bridge scheduled to open in early 2028.
Taoiseach comments
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “Today is a major milestone in the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge, as major steel components of the bridge arrive at Carlingford Lough for assembly on site in the coming months.
“The Narrow Water Bridge will do far more than connect two shores. It will bring communities closer together, strengthen links between the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Peninsula, and help unlock new opportunities for recreation, sustainable tourism and economic development across the region.
“Seeing its structures now making their way across the water is a reminder that this long-held vision is fast becoming a reality.
“I want to thank everyone involved in delivering this landmark project under the Government's Shared Island Initiative. I look forward to seeing the bridge take shape in the months ahead and to the lasting benefits it will bring for communities on both sides of Carlingford Lough.”
The Narrow Water Bridge project is funded through the Irish Government's Shared Island Fund and is being delivered by Louth County Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with BAM UK & Ireland as the main contractor.
