Macken St Bridge – Santiago Calatrava
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Has the design changed? I thought the original images were different – the main armature thing looked less like a bent pole and was a kind of elongated delta shape, quite wide at the base where it met the bridge. I’m sure I saw it as a model down the Corpo.
Or maybe I dreamed it.
At any rate, I’m not sure I like it – the junction between the vertical and horizontal elements is ugly.
I think the design has changed. The model in the Council Offices shows it has a thicker pylon with a circular hole through it. Also the pylon is curved more towards the bridge deck( not as upright).
JJThe model in the CC definitely looked better than this image…proportions and vertical v horizontal looked more balanced…I agree with JL…that vertical just looks too scrawny…the model that was in the CC also had an arrow-tip to the end of the mainstay…not sure I miss that at all 🙂
I aways wondered why it was called the Macken St bridge, as it goes from Cardiff Lane to Guild St.
It does go to Macken Street – Guild Street is the one further back towards the Customs House (Citibank is on the corner)
It’s a lovely thing, what a feature for the area – God knows the only flippin feature! It is light and elegant – if anything it could do without the chunky road element altogether to make it even more so!
It’s such a pity, such a shame, that the East Link opens, now Macken St opens, and yet the tall ships fall at the last hurdle that is the Matt Talbot, to enbable them to sit outside the Custom House, recreating that classic 18th century scene. What a shame, probably something that wasn’t even considered when the Matt Talbot, albeit a fine structure, was built.
Suppose the current craze for these ships didn’t exist at the time, and traffic congestion was something of a greater priority than creating postcard scenes 🙂According to the Indo today, the project is in doubt because of rising costs – E20m estmate is now E38m.
That price rise is very modest in comparison to your average NRA road cost over-run
That article from the Indo:
Rising costs place plans for new bridge in troubled waters
The proposed new Macken Street Bridge…threatened by rising costs. Pic: Bobby ByrneTHE future of a proposed landmark bridge described as crucial for the development of Dublin’s docklands is being threatened by rising costs.
Originally projected to cost approximately €20m, Dublin City Council now estimates that the long-awaited Macken Street Bridge will cost €38m, the Irish Independent has learned.
Construction firms were last week invited to submit expressions of interest in building the bridge, but the council will reconsider whether the project will proceed if there is a big difference between its estimate and the market price.
The bridge, which has been promised since 1999, has been described as a strategic necessity for Dublin as well as a cultural icon on a par with the Halfpenny Bridge.
It would cross the River Liffey at Macken Street, halfway between the Matt Talbot Bridge and the East Link Bridge.
The blueprint was produced by the world’s leading bridge designer, Spanish architect Sanitiago Calatrava, who devised an ultra-modern bridge capable of pivoting open to allow ships to pass.
His design envisages a structure with a span of 120 metres suspended from a 48-metre pylon. Its curbed profile is intended to evoke a harp lying on its side.
However, the sheer complexity of the design is understood to be one of the factors behind the high construction cost.
Another major reason is the rising cost of steel on the world market as well as the fact that the bridge will be capable of accommodating a Luas line.
No Luas lines are planned for the area at present but Dublin City Council decided to factor in the possibility of a line in the future. It would also carry four traffic lanes, two bus corridors, two cycle ways and pedestrian paths.
Depending on the price, the city council expects construction to begin in the new year after selecting the successful contractor.
Dublin City Council deputy city engineer Michael Phillips said that the bridge was “extremely important” for the docklands.
Crucially, Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) plans for the refurbishment of the area hinge on the construction of the Macken Street Bridge, which is supposed to link the Grand Canal Dock to the redeveloped sites on the Liffey’s northside.
The proposed bridge was previously the target of intense opposition from local people in the docklands area, who feared that it will generate more traffic and pollution.
City planners now fear that the project could become bogged down in public hearings and the need for a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if the current plans have to be watered down because of budget concerns.
The original EIS concluded that the bridge would give rise to “substantial increases” in traffic volumes for some streets in the docklands although it would reduce the flow of traffic on O’Connell Street.
Ben Quinn
Four traffic lanes, two bus corridors, two cycle ways, pedestrian paths and possibly two tram tracks? WTF, it’ll be as wide as OC bridge.. pivoting too, and in the shape of a harp.. sounds brilliant.
Anyway, here’s some of his other works… quite similar to the Macken Bridge.
BUENOS AIRES – Footbridge Puerto Mujer
Seville Alamillo Bridge
HAARLEMMERMER – Three Holland Bridgesdoes anyone remember how much the east-link bridge cost to build?
I think the City Council are looking for a cash injection from the Docklands Authority. That looks like their own spin being put on it. This bridge has to be built and they know it – Pearse Street is going to become a giant car park otherwise.
That pylon is going to be tall. 48 metres makes it not too far short of the height of Liberty Hall.Hopefully it will go ahead, its the kind of landmark that the docklands needs, after the legobuild office developments of the north bank.
I love the indo’s tone of indignation – how dare it go up in price although the spec has totally changed. When building a landmark such as this we must persue it. Does anyone know how much the Customs house would cost to build today? Who knows, but the city would surely be worse off without it.
Well said
Hmmm – yes, but if they said it would cost a billion euro…?!?
Drumcondra would be helped no end by a landmark solid gold 100m statue of Bertie, cost is no issue!
Originally posted by d_d_dallas
Drumcondra would be helped no end by a landmark solid gold 100m statue of Bertie, cost is no issue!Paid for by a hatfull of winners at the Galway races!!!!
But seriously, 38m is not a lot of money for an six lane and two pavement bridge, remembering the width of the river at this point
To put things into context La Touche House the smallest of the original IFSC blocks sold 2 years ago for 60m it is about the size of a typical Modern Office block c4500-5000Square Metres
I think this situation is a standoff between the DDDA and DCC over who picks up the tab. I wonder how the purchasors of the Phase 1 Spencer Dock Apartments will react if it is shelved?
I mean Spencer Dock isn’t really on the Northside if the bridge exists !!!!!!!!!
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