Dublin's temporary bridge

Peter Carroll

This recently installed bridge, with a span of 48 metres, is a temporary replacement for the Ha'penny bridge while it is undergoing refurbishment. It was craned into the Liffey in three sections, assembled onto a pontoon and was eventually erected on Friday 26 February at high tide. With 27,000 pedestrians crossing the Ha'penny Bridge each day, the need for a temporary bridge to reduce impact on traders in the Liffey Street area was justified. The construction of the bridge is evidently clear and simple in its use of bolted and clamped elements, being based on conventional Bailey bridges used by the Army. The bridge stands robustly on its own two feet in the riverbed below. The integrity of the quay walls is maintained as the bridge alights lightly and with minimum damage on the quays at either side.