A new pedestrian bridge, linking the south and north sides of the River Boyne, will signal the ongoing renewal and development of the historic Irish town of Drogheda. Designed by Douglas Wallace Architects, Designers & Project Managers, construction of the bridge is due to start this Summer and be completed by April 2005 and will be the centrepiece of Scotch Hall, Edward Holdings' €150 million mixed-use scheme on the south side of the Boyne. It will link Scotch Hall, currently under construction, with the modern-day commercial hub on the north side of the river.

As well as providing a functional link between two key areas, enabling pedestrians to avail themselves of facilities on both sides of the river, the new bridge will connect the town to its past.

"The bridge will complement and enhance the Scotch Hall development, of which we are all so proud," says Gerry Barrett, Managing Director of Edward Holdings. "We will be able to see the two sides of Drogheda, old and new, juxtaposed in a subtle way and linked by a new bridge, which celebrates twenty-first century design."

Drogheda takes its name from the Irish "Droichead Atha" meaning "bridge of the ford". Until 1415, the town was two separate settlements. Formal re-unification bought an end to the competition for trade that had held Drogheda back, and the town flourished as a trading, shipbuilding and industrial centre from the Middle Ages onwards.

Drogheda enjoyed a particular heyday during the industrial boom of the nineteenth century and, in 1853 the Boyne Viaduct, the imposing railway bridge across the Boyne, became the defining feature of the town. Now a new bridge, unashamedly modern in design, will vie for attention with its historic neighbour.

As architect Gerry Hand , Director of Douglas Wallace explains: "In contrast to Drogheda's historic and medieval past, we were looking to create a completely modern and contemporary landmark. To build a bridge that emulates what has gone before would have been simply pastiche. This project is about the new Drogheda. The focus of the bridge will be a large wishbone painted steel arch, sweeping elegantly from one side of the river to the other. The bridge will be constructed using pre-cast concrete abutments, stainless steel and painted mild steel. The walkway will have a stainless steel balustrade with timber handrails and timber decking".

The Douglas Wallace architectural team did extensive research into best practice and design examples for bridges around the world, research that proved extremely beneficial when it came to the final stages of the design process.

An application for a fore shore licence was made six months in advance of the actual planning for the bridge itself. "An environmental impact study was carried out and Douglas Wallace consulted with the British Admiralty in relation to river navigation issues" explained Architect Dean Byrne. "The new bridge, when constructed, will shorten the navigability of the river by approximately 200 metres. The main port activity in Drogheda is now based around Tom Roes Point, two miles downstream".

During the hours of darkness, the bridge's features will be illuminated and highlighted with flash surface LED light fittings fitted on the decking. The main arch of the bridge will be flood-lit from different angles, ensuring that the bridge is a striking feature on the Boyne both during the day and at night.

The south quay in Drogheda has been neglected and in disrepair for some time. The Scotch Hall development along with the new bridge will enable the regeneration of this area, which is of major historical interest. A new boardwalk will also be created which is anticipated will kick-start further redevelopment of the south side of the town. Dean Byrne says: "To some extent Drogheda has turned its back on the riverside, and in particular the south side as a whole. This new development will be one of the first to embrace the river, allowing people to enjoy the amenity as a pedestrian space."

The prospect of a new pedestrian bridge in Drogheda has received huge local support. The citizens of Drogheda realise the benefits and convenience that will come with the delivery of the project, which will not only provide a link across the town to the new Scotch Hall development but also to infrastructural facilities such as the train station. The bridge itself is being fabricated in Carlow and will arrive on site in four sections in mid-September. Assembly of all sections will be undertaken on the banks of the Boyne in full view of the public, and over the October bank holiday weekend it will be craned into place by the largest mobile crane in Ireland. The entire operation is expected to take over twelve hours.

In order that the bridge becomes fully integrated into the civic fabric of Drogheda Gerry Barrett of Edward Holdings will shortly announce details of a schools-oriented competition to name the new pedestrian bridge. "We are sure that such a competition would prove an inspiration to the young people of Drogheda, it is their chance to provide a permanent personal legacy for their town." It is believed that a panel of judges drawn from local historians and officials, the developers Edward Holdings and the architects Douglas Wallace will judge suggestions for names which could have their foundation in Drogheda's dramatic history.