Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
415. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the narrow water bridge project, including projected timelines and funding amounts for the long-awaited project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6509/24]
View answerThe Narrow Water Bridge is a cross-border project led by Louth County Council and supported by the Shared Island Fund. The Bridge will link the Mourne Mountains in Co. Down with the Cooley Peninsula in Co. Louth, bringing tourism and economic benefits, and creating new opportunities and deepening connections between communities on both sides of the border. When complete, the bridge will stretch from Cornamucklagh near Omeath, Co Louth to Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, Co. Down.
In June 2021, then Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced Government approval of €3m from the Shared Island Fund to take the project to tender-ready stage. This work was led by Louth County Council and overseen by my Department in this jurisdiction, and the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
In November 2022, Government further approved the next stage, and allocated a further €2m from the Shared Island Fund to complete the tender process for the Main Works Contract, marking a major milestone in terms of progress on the project.
I expect a decision to move ahead with the final steps in the procurement process, with a view to awarding the contract to the successful tenderer in the coming weeks.
Subject to successful completion of those final steps, which are subject to a degree of confidentiality, I would expect with completion of the project due in the early part of 2028.
