Strabane Pedestrian Cycle Bridge, Co Tyrone

Doran Consulting was commissioned by Strabane District Council to act as the bridge specialist on an integrated consultant team with WYG to determine the feasibility of and subsequently design a new pedestrian cycle bridge over the River Mourne. This bridge will provide a link between the Melvin Park area of Strabane and the town centre. The project is currently under development and services we will provide will extend to supervising a Design & Build integrated supply team for the construction phase of the contract.

The intention at the outset was to create an iconic landmark structure for the town, on a site with numerous environmental and hydrological constraints. As a first step, we produced a range of designs with a RIBA Stage C Report which focussed on 3 concept designs in particular. After consideration, we then proposed a preferred scheme involving a clear span design with which to proceed to design and construction.

There are numerous constraints on the site for the bridge which have had to be taken into account in the design. The River Mourne in this area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and is an important location for salmon spawning. In addition, the location commonly floods and is therefore buffeted on either side by high flood protection structures which had to be taken into account in the design. Invasive species of flora including Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam line the river banks at the site and the city centre location has mean that the bridge foundations will have to be built around utility services.

 What a time lapse video of the construction of this bridge.