Today the Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Project in Galway was officially opened. The project, which received a contribution of €3.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is the first bridge to be built over the river Corrib in over 30 years.

Situated next to the existing Salmon Weir Bridge and in front of the Cathedral in Galway City, the bridge is part of Galway’s integrated strategy to revitalise, regenerate and improve the urban environment. It will remove current conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic, by offering a dedicated safe crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

It will also enhance links between both sides of the river, linking the hospital, university and local communities with the city centre, as well as facilitating the Cross-City Link public transport corridor over the existing 200-year old bridge.

The form of bridge was carefully chosen to reflect the heritage of the area and not to detract from the cultural significance of the structures around it such as Galway Cathedral, the existing Salmon Weir, Bridge and the Convent. It will also create a focal point for locals and tourists by offering new views of river, cathedral, angling activities, and the canal and mill race.

The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Designated Urban Centre Grant Scheme (DUCGS) and Galway City Council. The ERDF fund is administered in the region by the Northern & Western Regional Assembly.

The Project is one of the NWRA’s capital flagship projects within urban centres. Under this Scheme a total of €28,000,000 was approved to support seven projects in our region including Galway.