Salmon Weir gets new bridge

zell12 · 25-02-2022 9:40am

Works starting on Gaol Road side. Trees cut down, shrubbery cleared, cranes entering. Expect traffic snarl-ups

Stevolende · 03-03-2022 2:46pm

Couple of shots I took last week before I took i that was where the bridge was going.

I think I was just a but disappointed that more and more trees were being brought down. But the narrowness of the pavements on the existing bridge are pretty restrictive. Enough room for one person to pass in each direction if they are watching where they are going.

Normally dealing with people walking in pairs, or looking at their phones or trying to cross the road when there's a break in traffic though.

Stevolende · 03-03-2022 2:48pm

Also walking towards there from the end of Francis st yesterday you can see more clearly where the space the bridge will occupy has been cleared. I was in a rush to get to an event i was late for so didn't get a photo

gordongekko · 04-03-2022 4:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118725697#Comment_118725697

How could they possibly build the bridge in that location without touching the tree?

Laviski · 04-03-2022 11:13pm

Stevolende · 06-03-2022 1:42pm

I saw yet more trees being removed after having seen apparently healthy trees cut down across town for a number of years so was disappointed to see it happen again. Which was why I took the photo when i did. Before posting here I realised that there was a reason for it happening in this situation since crossing that existing bridge can be a pain, I think I said that in the original comment or at least said that my respoonse was before i realised that was where the bridge was going.

I think the trees there have been there for longer than I've been in town so they are a feature I associate with that space. They were mature trees so presuambly much longer than that so it is a shame taht they had to go for this. Does seem to be a more logical cause for sacrifice/removal than some I've seen. Still not happy that trees in general seem to be superfluous to planning design. Since they do contribute to the environment so much. Or at least trees seem to be viewed as disposable and not a permanent part of the environment. So would far prefer it if removing trees was avoided where possible or unless absolutely necessary. Could be wrong about existing application but the idea of trees as a disposable feature just doesn't feel like the best approach to me.

zell12 · 01-04-2022 10:52am

Where is the bridge pre-fabricated? How many pieces will the walking surface bit be in?

Green Peter · 01-04-2022 9:10pm

Its actually made from the same stuff as the GAA dome in Mayo and is inflated, very safe and economic.

dinneenp · 26-04-2022 10:33am

I heard of Galway Bay FM, it being called 'iconic'. Please stop this, it's a bridge. Same happened with the Eyre Square re-development. Setting aside the final cost of it, public figures were calling it a 'world famous square.' It's not, no need for this hyperbole

Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive of the council, said that this was a “milestone” event in the delivery of an “iconic new bridge” for the city.

“This world-class bridge will remove current conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists, and traffic, and will enhance links between both sides of the river, as well as facilitating the Cross-City Link public transport corridor over the existing 200 year old bridge.”

what_traffic · 26-04-2022 12:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977922#Comment_118977922

World class my eye, it aint wide enough + it tapers in the center of it which will probably lead to conflicts between scooter and bike users with pedestrians. They solve one problem and then create another one.

26-04-2022 2:54pm

Honestly I can't see any cyclists, coming from Newcastle road, ever using it. From the Nun's Island direction sure

zell12 · 26-04-2022 3:27pm

Are pedestrians and cyclists not traffic? How did we get this city manager?

what_traffic · 26-04-2022 4:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118979436#Comment_118979436

People cycling from Newtownsmith, ya for sure can see it been used, but from West of the Corrib currently.........cannot see it happen.

Very little cycle traffic from Nuns Island direction as that its a one-way system but it could be two-way for people on bikes if they put in the signs.

Stevolende · 03-05-2022 12:37pm

If pedestrian traffic drops cos it main ly moves over to new bridge, things generally get safer for cyclists crossing the existing bridge don't they?

NOt sure how people navigate that at the moment with a cycle. It's difficult enough with people walking in 2 directions on each of the pavements without having extra wheeled traffic. & cars can be right on top of the kerb nearly.

Think I have seen a couple of solitary cyclists wheeling bikes across but don't know what happens when there happen to be more than that. presumably they must use that route since it's the main way to get into town from a few places. Not sure how things have lasted this long without having an alternative.

LIke thinking about it, has to be Salmon Weir Bridge or Nun's Island or taking a longer way around via either the milennium bridge or the canal/Henry St. Which may be 101 for Galway Geography but really does show how limited the choice of routes is if one is trying to navigate town from the Westside

what_traffic · 03-05-2022 1:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119009325#Comment_119009325

Not really, people on bikes still have to stick to the road as the footpaths are still going to be footpaths? Right?

Can only see significant change once the Salmon Weir Bridge becomes a bus gate, probably a 07h00 -> 19h00 bus gate ( do not see the need for it to be 24h one)

Stevolende · 25-05-2022 5:56pm

a few shots from yesterday which show the layout or at least presumably where the bridge will touch ground

Stevolende · 13-06-2022 1:29pm

couple of shots from Friday 9th. That road taht leads down to Newtownlands is completely closed for the near future. I think I saw people thinking they would be able to drive down it on one of my recent trips into town. Think you can get through to the car park and possibly the girls school from teh Sally Longs end at the moment but road has a lot of this fencing down it.

I noticed the clothes shop on it is moving premises, not sure if Papa Rich and the cafe will be there permanently. Probably adressed elsewhere anyway.

zell12 · 13-06-2022 7:45pm

Note how the Cathedral is more visible from east with the greenery chopped down

Stevolende · 15-06-2022 10:20am

Only from a very specific space. Was it worth arboricide for it though?

zell12 · 17-09-2022 9:31am

Council uploaded this pic to social media on 16 Sept

bobbyss · 17-09-2022 12:26pm

They have a basic bridge across now at the city side. If you are walking from UoG how to access the new bridge? Does this mean we will never lean on the bridge now and look up river at the fishermen? Speaking of leaning on the bridge I do remember it being all shiny with people leaning over it to see the (rare) sight of someone catching a salmon. All that shininess is gone. What happened that?

what_traffic · 17-09-2022 1:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119630301#Comment_119630301

North footpath is been kept on the Salmon Weir bridge

Ficheall · 19-09-2022 12:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119630507#Comment_119630507

Really? :-/

19-09-2022 2:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119637199#Comment_119637199

Yeah its a protected view so they have to keep it so you'll still be able to watch those fishermen

WallyGUFC · 19-09-2022 2:45pm

Would it not have made more sense to change the Salmon Weir to a pedestrian bridge and build a new bridge for vehicles?

19-09-2022 3:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119637802#Comment_119637802

It would but that ship has sailed

bobbyss · 19-09-2022 4:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119630507#Comment_119630507

I see. The new bridge is optional then.

what_traffic · 20-09-2022 12:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119638311#Comment_119638311

Ya pretty much, don't know what the plan is here for the dimensions are though. Will the North footpath be left as per current state or are they going to widen it once the footpath on the south is removed?

beardybrewer · 21-09-2022 9:59am

I presumed before the plans were announced that they'd do the same thing as they did on the Wolfe Tone bridge. That is, just build out an overhang to create a wider pedestrian path on one side. When they announced it would be an altogether separate bridge I guessed with the university they envisaged much heavier foot traffic and wanted to support bikes and e-scooters too. Or maybe there was an architectural reason why the current bridge couldn't be widened?

21-09-2022 10:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119645157#Comment_119645157

The current bridge is a protected structure so couldn't be modified. There's an argument alright for adding walkways similar to Wolfe Tone.

I guess this way they keep the weir view, provide views of the river and provide a view of the existing bridge.

I can understand that justification but in terms of infrastructure and connectivity it looks like a worse option.

The main impediment to building a new bridge to service buses etc appears to be cost due to the additional engineering requirements.

Ficheall · 21-09-2022 11:28am

If they're not removing the footpaths on the Salmon Weir, then surely people will keep using them instead of crossing at the cathedral "roundabout" to use the new bridge. If you cross at the far side of the cathedral and come around the back then the new location could be easier to cross, but I doubt that's going to be easier for many users..

21-09-2022 11:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119645493#Comment_119645493

They are keeping 1 path, on the weir side so yeah, anyone travelling from the Uni side will likely still use the Salmon Weir bridge, but those coming from the town will likely use the new bridge. At least that would be my guess

21-09-2022 11:40am

At this rate we'll be lucky to see the Galway to Dublin greenway opened in the 2030's

https://connachttribune.ie/greenway-intimidation-allegation-rejected-by-galway-county-council/

what_traffic · 21-09-2022 11:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119645534#Comment_119645534

Ya that's how I see it as well until the bus gate itself is installed, after that - will be interesting to see how patterns change. With the large reduction in vehicular traffic on the Salmon Weir it will far easier to cross via foot to access this NEW bridge when coming from the Uni side.

Mrs OBumble · 21-09-2022 1:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119645584#Comment_119645584

Large volume reductions don't always make for easier crossings.

Often fewer vehicles means they move faster.

If bicycles are using Salmon Weir then it's likely to be challenging still.

what_traffic · 21-09-2022 3:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119645965#Comment_119645965

True - I say that all the time when it comes to cycling. Heavy car traffic on the bike can make it easier to make right turns for example as car traffic speeds are lower. But its even easier for people on foot or bike when you take them out of the equation completely.

I believe majority of people on bikes will use the Salmon Weir rather than the NEW bridge.

What type of bus gate that is to be installed at the Salmon Weir. Will ABP / NTA advise on that. Specify the type that the Council should use?

Further reading for people who are interested.

https://www.galwaycity.ie/busconnects-galway-cross-city-link

www.crosscitylinkgalway.ie

jkforde · 03-10-2022 7:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119637741#Comment_119637741

planning policy is a parody of itself sometimes.... we're spending significant public funds to build a dedicated pedestrian bridge (yes yes, cycles too).... and they have to keep a footpath on the existing structure because there's one sentence in a planning document that says it's a protected view, and that's the opinion of probably a single planner who likely has since left the planning coliseum!

plain nuts.

Mrs OBumble · 03-10-2022 9:15pm

In fairness, it is a pretty impressive view.

And a footpath without bicycles is far preferable.

Cluedo Monopoly · 03-10-2022 9:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119630301#Comment_119630301

You could actually see many many salmon under the bridge, especially if you had polaroid glasses. I always had a look whenever I crossed. I often saw fisherman put a fly right on their nose but 99% of the time the salmon would completely ignore it. Salmon that have just come in off the sea and are waiting to go upstream to spawning areas tend not to feed. The fisherman would hook the rare salmon that would react to the fly.