| Architect |
Santiago Calatrava |
| Date
Built |
2007 |
| Location |
Crossing the
River Liffey in the Dockland area of Dublin |
| Description | |
|
The Samuel Beckett Bridge spans the River
Liffey in the redeveloped Docklands district
of Dublin. The bridge was designed by
the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and
constructed in Holland by Graham Hollandia
Joint Venture. The completed bridge
structure was transported to Dublin from
Rotterdam on a barge and then hoisted onto
the concrete pier that provides the pivot
point about which the bridge rotates.
The 120 metre bridge has a cable-stayed,
steel box girder structure and the estimated
total cost of its construction and
installation was €59.95 million. Santiago Calatrava's website says that the architect, "sought inspiration from the shape of a harp - a historical and prominent symbol of Ireland. Envisioning steel cables as the harp's strings, the architect was able to infuse modern elements with traditional significance. ... From a functional standpoint, Calatrava wanted to create a structure that would reduce vehicular traffic in the city centre without disturbing maritime passage. Therefore, the bridge features four lanes for traffic with cycle tracks and pedestrian paths on either side, as well as room for trams (to be implemented in the future)." |
|
|
Samuel
Beckett Bridge, Dublin, Ireland
       |
