Athlone could see its fourth river crossing built since 1989 as part of the new Athlone-Mullingar cycle route.
Members of Athlone Town Council received information from director of services Barry Kehoe on the proposed tourist attraction at Tuesday’s May meeting.
As part of the rejuvenation of the old Athlone-Mullingar railway corridor a cycle lane has been proposed, which would connect to a Government suggestion of creating a Dublin-Galway cycle route.
As part of this cycle route it is planned to build a bridge over the River Shannon, but this will be subject to an environmental impact assessment and the overall decision will lie with An Bord Pleanála and will not be subject to public consultation.
It is yet to be decided on the exact location of the bridge but it is believed that south of the White Bridge is the preferred location.
Construction is expected to commence in 2014.
