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12 years on and Salmon Weir plan has made little progress
Galway City Council has sought €200,000 in Government funding to progress plans for a new pedestrian bridge beside the Salmon Weir Bridge.
During a discussion in the Council chamber on the new €250 million Galway Transport Strategy (GTS) – which sets out proposals for the next 20 years – councillors honed in on plans for a second Salmon Weir Bridge.
“This is the third time that a proposal for a new bridge has come before the Council,” said Cllr Frank Fahy.
His Fine Gael party colleague, Padraig Conneely said: “This has been going on since 2004. I remember getting funding for budgets in 2005 and 2006 for over €100,000, and there were lovely drawings of a pedestrian walkway.
“Where’s that now? Gathering dust? Now we have commissioned new consultants.
“I brought in a petition with 8,000 signatures to the Council from students who use that bridge. It is dangerous and waiting for an accident to happen.
“After 12 years, now you tell me you’re going to come up with something for 2017? I hope in early 2017 you’ll bring it here (the chamber) and we can proceed and erect it for pedestrian safety,” said Cllr Conneely.
Jim Molloy of the Galway Transportation Unit said the biggest issue facing the Council is funding.
“We regularly request funding to advance it [the new Salmon Weir Bridge] and don’t get it. A pedestrian priority route is needed there,” said Mr Molloy.
He later added that the Council has asked for €200,000 funding to carry out an Environmental Impact Study so that a design can be finalised for the new bridge.
Chief Executive Brendan McGrath said the new bridge is a priority and would serve as a pedestrian/cycle bridge, and the existing one would be for motorised traffic.
However, he said the design would have to take cognisance of its surrounds.
“It’s sensitive environmentally . . . and its location is in front of the Cathedral. If we get to the design stage, we could then start lobbying the National Transport Authority for funding,” said Mr McGrath.