We’ll get the first glimpse on Friday morning.

Cork’s newest bridge, funded by the National Transport Agency (NTA), is due to be lifted into place over the N40 South Ring Road overnight tonight.

The 63-metre pedestrian/cycle bridge and the adjoining kilometre-long pathway, situated midway between the Kinsale Road interchange and the first access ramp to Douglas Village, will provide connectivity between Grange/Frankfield and the southern suburbs.

Cork City Council hopes the bridge, which opens this autumn when works are completed by the contractor, Jons Civil Engineering Company Limited, will allow residents, students, and commuters to opt for active travel and thereby reduce traffic congestion.

While the new route will provide a public amenity for local residents through the wooded area south of the Grange Road, it also allows direct access across the N40 dual carriageway to Tramore Valley Park without the need to travel by car.

The bridge, manufactured by Thompson of Carlow, will be lifted into place late on Thursday night using a 650-ton crane supplied and operated by East Cork Crane Hire Limited.

Once complete it will be accessed by a strengthened embankment via the southern bridge on the Southside and a concrete ramp and stairs on the north side connecting into Tramore Valley Park.

Help name Cork’s newest bridge 

“It will be fantastic to see Cork’s newest bridge in place on Friday morning,” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Deirdre Forde.

“It means we are moving a step closer to the completion of a project that will mean people can walk or cycle for leisure, work, or to get to school or college from Grange/Frankfield to Tramore Valley Park, Douglas and on into the city centre.”

“We also need your help in putting forward suggestions for the naming of the new bridge. Suggested names which honour, celebrate, or remember a person, group or events of significance that have helped to shape the City of Cork will be considered,” she said.

Completed application forms can be submitted online or sent in an envelope marked “Grange to Tramore Valley Park Bridge Naming” to Barbara Creed, Administrative Officer, Infrastructure Development, City Hall, Cork, T12 T997 or e-mailed directly to barbara_creed@corkcity.ie before Friday, April 28th 2023 at 4pm.