BAM has reached a key construction milestone on the Narrow Water Bridge, after the first barge carrying major steel elements docked at Warrenpoint Harbour in Northern Ireland.

The Caroline barge arrived from Belgium with an 82-metre bridge deck section and the 114-metre pylon, paving the way for installation of the main structure of the new cross-border bridge over the Newry River.

As main contractor, BAM is delivering the 195-metre, two-span cable-stayed bridge linking Cornamucklagh, near Omeath in County Louth, with Narrow Water, near Warrenpoint in County Down. The crossing will serve vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, improving connectivity and supporting tourism, active travel and economic growth around Carlingford Lough.

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.

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"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."

The Caroline departed Belgium on 15 October accompanied by the Multraug 29 tugboat, navigating Dutch canals and the North Sea to Carlingford Lough before proceeding up the Newry River to Warrenpoint Harbour.

A second barge, the Karel Victor, left Belgium on 18 October with the remaining section of the fixed span. The voyage is expected to take about seven days, subject to favourable weather and marine conditions.

In total, the three major steel components weigh roughly 2,245 tonnes and will be installed by BAM over the coming months as part of a complex engineering operation.

The arrival of the steelwork signals the next major phase of construction, with the main span set to take shape in the coming months. Installation is expected to take between eight and 12 weeks, depending on weather and operating conditions.

BAM has positioned temporary supports and skid tracks in the Newry River to manoeuvre the two deck sections and the pylon into place, while a 1,500-tonne crane is being assembled on the southern embankment to assist the lift operations.

Work is also progressing on the northern span, which will include a movable bascule section to allow river traffic to pass. The Narrow Water Bridge is funded by 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 as main contractor.