A design image of the new cycleway bridge over the Shannon, construction of which is about to get underway.

Date set for Athlone cycleway opening and sod-turning on bridge

Adrian Cusack

Published: Wed 22 Sep 2021, 4:43 PM

Last updated: Thu 23 Sep 2021, 9:45 AM

A date has been fixed for both the official opening of the new extension to Athlone's cycleway and the turning of the sod to represent the start of construction on the long-planned cycleway bridge across the Shannon.

Both of these milestones will be marked with a ceremony at Athlone Marina which will be attended by Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, on Monday, October 4.

The cycleway extension brings the 'Old Rail Trail' from the White Gates, at the Ballymahon Road, as far as the Marina. The route incorporates a €4m cycleway underpass which was built beneath the active Dublin to Galway railway line at Montree.

Part of the White Gates to Athlone Marina extension of the cyclway, pictured some weeks ago. This stretch of the popular amenity will be officially opened on October 4.

The pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Shannon, which will help to further extend the cycleway from the Marina as far as Athlone Castle, is expected to take around 18 months to build, with Easter 2023 targeted as its opening date.

A contact of approximately €13 million was recently awarded to Meath-based firm Jons Civil Engineering Ltd for the construction of the bridge and cantilevered boardwalks that will connect with it on both sides of the river.

Described in a planning document as a "landmark structure" of 104 metres, with ramps leading up to it on either side, the bridge was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in November 2017.