The structure of the new pedestrian bridge from Perrott’s Inch to the Lower Grounds on UCC’s campus being lifted into place by the contractor L&M Keating. Picture Clare Keogh

Cork gets its 29th bridge as work underway on new UCC entrance

THE 29th bridge to cross the river Lee in Cork city was lowered into place today.

Work is underway at UCC to build the new pedestrian bridge over the south channel of the River Lee to connect with a new entrance to the campus off the Western Road.

The bridge will cross the river from the rear of the Aula Maxima to a green space at Perrotts Inch, approximately halfway between Gaol Cross and the main entrance to UCC.

Along with the bridge, new pathways, trees and landscaping will be included in the project along with a new entrance on the Western Road.

Once completed it will be the city’s 29th bridge across both channels of the river with a 30th currently planned for the city centre crossing Merchant’s Quay to Patrick’s Quay.

The new bridge is positioned to connect the confluence of four pathways in the lower grounds on the South Bank in UCC with two new pathways in Perrotts Inch on the North Bank.

It will cross the river at an angle to provide an easy continuity of east-west pedestrian flow which will cross the river at this point. The bridge has also been designed and located in such a manner as to minimise its impact on neighbouring properties.

The riverside walk along UCC’s lower grounds is proposed to be extended across the bridge along Perrotts Inch to the existing car park close to Gaol Cross.

The project is a key element of UCC’s privately funded Environmental Plan which focuses on the quality of the external environment through the development of new pathways, courtyards and soft landscaping spaces.

The bridge itself spans 25m over the south channel of the River Lee and is supported by glued laminated or ‘Glulam’ timber beams.

The project design team is led by O’Donnell & Tuomey and is managed by UCC’s Buildings & Estates Office.

It is the latest in a number of bridge projects for Cork.

Recently work was completed to upgrade the bridge linking the Bon Secours hospital to the Western Road to create a new entrance for the hospital and to allow construction begin on a major extension.

Cork City Council is currently in the design and planning process for the Harley Street Pedestrian Bridge that will cross the north channel of the river Lee.

UCC’s Perrott’s Inch bridge is the first new bridge to cross the river since the installation, in 2004, of the Shandon pedestrian bridge from the Coal Quay to Pope’s Quay.

There are long-term plans for three new bridges that will form part of the Cork Docklands development while the Events Centre development also includes two new pedestrian bridges crossing the river.