Galway's Salmon Weir Bridge which crosses the River Corrib looks set to become more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists as the sod was turned on construction work there.
The new bridge will facilitate connectivity in the city from either side of the river, while creating a focal point for visitors to take in the views of the river, as well as the nearby natural wildlife and built heritage in the area.
This project was funded by the European Commission through the European Regional Development Fund, facilitated by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and the National Transport Authority (NTA).
It is anticipated that the bridge will be substantially complete by early next year.
Welcoming the development, Chief Executive of Galway City Council Brendan McGrath described the bridge as "world class".
"Galway City Council is delighted to celebrate this milestone event in the delivery of an iconic new bridge for the people of Galway. This 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".
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said the development would improve safety.
"Anyone who has, like me, walked across the old bridge, will have been conscious that one slip could lead to a collision given how narrow the footpaths are. This new shared-use bridge will bring a number of significant benefits to Galway City, including offering a dedicated safe crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists alike," she said.
