A new walking and cycling bridge has been installed on the canal between Phibsborough and Drumcondra as part of the Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3.
The bridge is pictured above and below with black railings in photos posted by Dublin City Council this afternoon (also shown is a temporary bridge to allow for construction).
The bridge allows for the main greenway path to switch from the south to the north bank of the canal.
The sod turning on the €30.8 million 2.1km section of the route from Phibsborough to North Strand Road happened in February 2023. The project was approved by councillors 7 years ago, in 2015, and was delayed a number of times after issues such as having to re-tender for the project.
Due to environmental concerns relating to retaining trees and working near the canal bank, the width of the cycle path is to be narrower than originally planned between Phibsborough and Drumcondra where it will be 2.5m wide, which is very narrow for a two-way cycle path in a highly urban area.
Paradoxically, while the canal bank is more constrained east of Drumcondra Road, along that part of the route, the cycle path will generally be 3 metres wide.
The footpath will also be just 1.5 metres throughout most of the route, although between Phibsborough and Drumcondra there will be a wider path on the north bank where the cycle route will be partly on the south bank.
Here are some more photos from today followed by images and videos showing something closer to how the bridge will look when the route is finished and the greenery grows back:
ALSO READ: Why is a 2.1km section of the Royal Canal Greenway costing €30.8 million?
Artist’s impressions and video:
