The winners of the competition to design the Metro West Liffey Valley Bridge have been announced.

Buro Happold and Explorations Architecture scooped the prize, which was administered by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, on behalf of the Railway Procurement Agency.

Frank Allen, Chief Executive of the Railway Procurement Agency, said: "The conclusion of this competition represents a significant milestone in the ongoing design and development of the Metro West scheme."

He said the agency is committed to developing attractive, eco-friendly infrastructure that meets transport needs.

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Mr Allen said competition entries were of an exceptionally high standard, however, the jury concluded that the winning design excelled in meeting the challenges of the brief.

This two stage Liffey Valley bridge design competition had to address a number of issues particular to the project, for example the metro and a foot/cycle path.

Adam Allegri, bridge engineer at Buro Happold, said: "We collaborated with Explorations Architecture to develop the concept of a bridge, driven by a desire to minimise the visual impact of the bridge across the Liffey Valley.

"With the bridge sited in a naturally delicate and sensitive area, the design team developed an innovative, low-rise slender suspended bridge which is subtle yet expressive.

"The optimum combination of structural efficiency and visual subtlety has been achieved by allowing the suspension cable to cross the deck in elevation and provide support from below.

"As the cable crosses the deck users will be able to walk safely down an extraordinary promenade that follows the cable profile of the bridge," he added.

(PR/JM)