Construction of a new bridge at Spencer Dock, which will allow the Luas Red Line to be extended from Connolly Station to the Point, will begin in the new year.
The Spencer Dock bridge is the principal piece of infrastructure necessary for the line extension, which will bring the Luas through the heart of the IFSC with stops at George's Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and the Point. It will also carry two traffic lanes as well as a pair of cycle tracks.
The bridge, designed by London-based architects Future Systems and Arup Engineers, will be a "landmark structure", the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) said.
A tendering process for the construction of the Luas bridge began earlier this year, and the RPA announced yesterday that it has awarded the contract to Lang O'Rourke.
The design of the bridge is based on the geometry of the Manta Ray fish, the RPA said, with "asymmetric pectoral fins" extending out from the body of the bridge deck and reaching down towards the water level in the Royal Canal.
Construction of the bridge is due to finish within a year and the first tram service is scheduled before the end of 2009.
