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A programme of essential conservation works is set to commence on the Guinness Bridge in Fingal this month.
Jons Civil Engineering Co Ltd has been selected by Fingal County Council to carry out the works on the metal bridge structure and stone abutments over a five-month construction period.
Spanning the River Liffey at the Strawberry Beds, the Guinness Bridge is owned by Fingal County Council and recorded as a Protected Structure.
The structure is a single-span cast-iron girder bridge, approximately 54m long and 4.5m wide, which crosses the over the River Liffey and Lower Road. It was originally commissioned by the Guinness family in the 1870s to provide a pedestrian crossing and connection between Farmleigh Estate and Palmerstown to the south of the Liffey.
A serious overhaul of the structure is required to preserve the bridge and abutments as they currently stand. This work has been planned for some time under the care of a conservation design team commissioned by the Council. The project, which will cost almost €1.5 million, is included in the Fingal Capital Plan with some grant support from the Structures at Risk Fund.
The repairs identified include replacement of damaged bearings, repair of masonry abutments, new gates to limit access on both sides and full cleaning and protective coating of the steel structure. Scaffolding and wrapping of the bridge is required for protection during repair works and temporary traffic restrictions will be necessary on Lower Road.
The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony, said: "The Guinness Bridge is one of the 29 stops on the Liffey Valley Trail and I am delighted that the conservation works, which are badly needed, will be commencing in January. The bridge has been in existence for over 140 years and these works will ensure its preservation for many more years."
The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Annmarie Farrelly added: "Fingal is a heritage county and one of the Council's most important roles is to protect that heritage for future generations. The Guinness Bridge is another example of our continued commitment to conservation across Fingal."
