ronan fagan
The new cycleway bridge, an integral feature of the eventual greenway route from Dublin to Galway, will be officially opened by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Jack Chambers, on Tuesday morning, August 8, it has been confirmed.
Crossing the River Shannon from the Radisson Blu Hotel to the Luan Gallery, the cycleway bridge is the fourth such structure to span the waterway in Athlone and the first of its ilk since the construction of the relief road bridge in 1991.
Coinciding with the closing date of the Féile na Sionnaine Festival, the official opening ceremony will realise the culmination of a two year construction journey under the guidance of Jons Civil Engineering Ltd.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser in recent times, Mr Michael Kelly, Westmeath County Council cycleway project co-ordinator, noted that the opening of the new cycleway bridge would offer numerous benefits to the local community as well as visitors to the town.
“The cycleway bridge will certainly provide for a sustainable modal shift with a wealth of users now having the option of walking or cycling from east to west and vice versa, benefiting the local community immensely upon its opening in August.
“Both nationally and internationally, we now have a product which is certain to appeal with visitors in a position to appreciate the main town bridge and White Bridge from a central panoramic vista on the new structure,” Mr Kelly commented.
When opened on August 8, the new cycleway bridge will form the midway point of the planned 270 kilometre Dublin-Galway greenway with work presently continuing on the next phase of development as the route proceeds from Athlone towards its final destination.
