Justification for Owenabue Estuary Bridge Project

Proposal for an Owenabue Estuary Bridge to categorically end Carrigaline & Crosshaven traffic congestion, enhance public safety & allow sustainable growth

This idea would link the R612 (Carrigaline - Crosshaven – Fountainstown Roads) with the R613 (Carrigaline – Ringaskiddy Road). This gives direct access to the M28 via a slip road at Warrens Cross, Barnahealy for traffic from Kinsale, South Carrigaline and Crosshaven catchment areas. With significant population growth in Carrigaline and the construction of many new houses and schools which were all unforeseen when the Carrigaline Western Relief Road was proposed, this bridge project will alleviate and bypass associated growing congestion and provide quicker access for communities South of the Owenabue River to the M28, away from the proposed Shannon Park slip road.
This will be vital for the continued growth of Carrigaline as the largest town in the County after the extension of Cork City. Regionally, the Bridge project helps to satisfy the aims of the Cork Harbour makeover project, linking more elements of the harbour and providing easier access to the Port and associated industries in the Strategic Employment Area on the Ringaskiddy peninsula.
Cork County Council’s Business Park at Kilnagleary, Carrigaline will become part of the Port Strategic Area; - enjoying easier heavy goods vehicle, customer and employee access in both directions and, thereby, supporting employment and commercial growth with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Direct access from the M28, the Ferry Port and the Cross River Ferry at Passage West will support easier transit for camper vans, caravans, horse boxes, towed boats and sports teams to Kinsale, Crosshaven, South Carrigaline, and to the growing Maryville Equestrian Centre in Knockalurgan, Carrigaline. By means of both cycle and pedestrian lanes, the popular Carrigaline - Crosshaven Greenway (Railway Walk) will be extended by the bridge towards the Ringaskiddy Martello Tower and potentially, in time, all the way to Currabinny Woods. Cyclists will also have access via the bridge to planned cyclist facilities along the 13km of the new M28 motorway.
Nationally, the bridge itself, with its unique design, will become a recognisable landmark. Using advanced techniques to ensure minimal environmental impact during and after construction, this project will also deliver a new public parkland recreation & amenity island which is sympathetic to, and a focal point for, the Owenabue Estuary special protection bird trail area. This is likely to become a reference point as part of the Ireland’s Ancient East tourist area. It will enhance the tourism value to Carrigaline & Crosshaven; - especially as part of the, Cobh - Spike Island – Fort Camden Maritime & Military History triangle.
Key Features of the project include:

• Approximately 2km of new single lane carriageway with hard shoulder/service lane in each direction, complete with roundabouts, slip roads and 3m wide cycle/pedestrian/wheelchair lanes with associated access ramps;- of which the bridge itself will be 750m in length
• Approximately 1 hectare of new amenity island-park, off the Southern shore of the estuary, accessed via ramps and viewing platforms from a section of the bridge which is suspended from twin vertical elements which, together, will become a visual focal point in the estuary.
• The bridge will be elevated over the Carrigaline – Crosshaven railway walk with access from the walkway to the bridge via pedestrian/cycle/wheelchair ramps; - thereby extending the walkway.
• The bridge will span the recognised navigation channel towards the Northern shore which will support continued small vessel access to the up river boatyard.
• The bridge design will compliment the landscape and local history and is sympathetic to the special preservation bird trail area across the estuary.
• Arcihtectural design & visualisation of the bridge & associated works is by Larsson & Pedersen (Alan Larsson of Urban Gap Design & Jesper Pedersen of Pedersen Focus)

The main benefits of the Owenabue Estuary Bridge Crossing Scheme are:

• Enhancing Local & Regional connectivity, reducing the carbon footprint whilst acting as a key growth enabler for the Carrigaline, Crosshaven and Kinsale catchment areas
• Supporting the infrastructure of Carrigaline as the largest town remaining in the County area
• Facilitating economic development in the local area and nationally.
• To support the strategic development of commerce and tourism in the area, in accordance with European and National Policy and, in turn, assist in the ongoing development of Cork and its unique Harbour Area
• To support sustainable development which is sympathetic to the Special Protection needs of the Owenabue Estuary area.
• To improve access between the Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Kinsale catchment areas and Ringaskiddy
• To connect and enhance the Cork Harbour Greenway area.
• To support the Cork Harbour makeover

Update Nov 2020
With the 80 new offshore wind related jobs planned for Crosshaven, it will be even more vital that this bridge project be realised to allow easy access for works, goods & services to & from the village.

---