Up, up and away....Kildare's latest bridge is hoisted into place

Kildare’s newest bridge, which spans the Grand Canal in Sallins, has been constructed.

The Sallins pedestrian bridge was put in place in a night time operation overseen by contractor John Cradock of Kilcullen.

The bridge is regarded as a vital piece of infrastructure to facilitate access to the new Grand Canal Greenway.

It will also provide a safe walkway for pupils attending  St Laurence’s National School, connecting the premises and those using it with the northeast of the town.

It also means that children and parents will avoid the existing heavily trafficked hump back bridge with narrow paths. 

Prior to the opening of the bypass of the town in April 2021, it was estimated that at least 22,000 vehicles passed through it each day.

The bridge is the centrepiece of the greenway project from Sallins to Alymers Bridge (near Hazelhatch, Celbridge) which is also benign constructed by John Cradock Ltd are constructing for Kildare County Council and designed by  Fehily Timoney and Co, in conjunction with Waterways Ireland.

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The new bridge weighs  almost 24 tonnes and came complete with hardwood anti-slip decking and bespoke handrails.

It includes  stainless steel mesh infill panels and LED lighting, which is a longer lasting and more energy efficient.

The structure was fully constructed off site and lifted into position in one piece during a late night road closure. 

The bridge was fabricated in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and transported to Naas on Thursday August 24 where it was stored close by in Millennium Park, before being transported the short distance to Sallins.

It was lifted into position on August 25 by a specialist 250 tonne crane.

The 11km project including the bridge commenced in late 2022 and will provide a safe cycling and walking route three metres wide along the canal bank.

It’s expected the project will be completed and open to the public in the coming months, hopefully by October 31.