The Point Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge

Pete_Cavan

On 11 Jun 2024, DCC will open a non-statutory public consultation on the Point Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge and Tom Clarke Bridge Widening Project. A basic leaflet is already available to view on the DCC consultation portal;

https://consultation.dublincity.ie/traffic-and-transport/the-point-pedestrian-cycle-bridge-and-tom-clarke-b/

Some info from the leaflet for posterity;

1 PROJECT OVERVIEW

This scheme is one of the projects being implemented as part of the City Council’s Active Travel Network. The proposed Point Bridge is a high quality pedestrian and cycle bridge which will be located on the west side of the existing Tom Clarke Bridge in Ringsend, Dublin City.
It is also proposed to upgrade the existing Tom Clarke Bridge by widening the northern and southern bridge decks. The works will include replacing elements of the bridge deck furniture such as barriers, lighting columns and traffic lights. The scheme also includes the removal of the existing control building and the construction of a new control tower.

2 WHAT IS PROPOSED
The proposed development includes the following main components:

Point Bridge:
- Construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, approximately 150 meters in length
- The Point Bride will have an opening section that will mirror the existing Tom Clarke Bridge
- A public realm area that will be incorporated into the bridge, providing scenic views of the River Liffey and Dublin City towards the west

Tom Clarke Bridge enhancements:
- Widening of the northern and southern fixed spans of the Tom Clarke Bridge
- Upgrading of current bridge elements, including barriers, lighting columns, and road and river traffic signals
- Demolition of the existing control building and construction of a new three-story control tower

The new three-story control tower in the middle of the bridge will be an interesting feature (hopefully made look more elegant as the design develops) and will presumably eventually cater for all three opening bridges which will be located there. There should also be scope to make the new bridge itself more pleasant with the inclusion of seating areas and planting.

This bridge would obviously be a great addition given the Eastlink is not suitable for pedestrian and cyclists. Another bridge is proposed under BusConnects across the mouth of the Dodder, as can be seen on the right in the image above. The BusConnects plans here consider this new bridge across the Liffey and it has been shown indicatively on the design drawings;

Badly needed for cyclists. Its never an enjoyable experience cycling either direction on that bridge.

cgcsb

desperately needed, even walking it is an extremely hostile experience.

MJohnston

It seems like a mistake to me to bundle both bridge projects together — do the pedestrian and cycling one first separately, and then let the Tom Clarke bridge changes be bogged down in motorist complaints about temporary road closures

Pete_Cavan

Now that the consultation has gone live, further documents are available in the link in the OP. There is now a proper plan drawing which shows a viewing area on the southern end of the new bridge. The control tower is to sit between the new bridge and the Eastlink, from the photomontage images I thought it was to straddle the new bridge.

John_Rambo

100% needed, a nasty squeeze with heavy traffic in a wind tunnel for cyclists and pedestrians.

Thelonious Monk

years and years off for something that you would think is pretty simple, but that's ireland for you.

anyway yeah i cross this regularly by bike, and it sucks. very narrow so cars beep at you if you aren't right against the kerb so they can get past.

i also jog over it regularly and that's a mare too, such a narrow footpath. also a disaster for pedestrians after gigs in the point and lansdowne. it should have been sorted 20 years ago.

Citizen Six

So a completion date of sometime in 2030. Great work lads.