Active Travel Bridge

What is it?

A new pedestrian/cycling boardwalk-style bridge just beside the existing Liffey vehicular bridge, on the northeastern side.  The existing footpath on the vehicular bridge would be removed, allowing some widening of the two vehicular lanes there.

Concept drawing of the proposed active travel bridge. Source: KCC, dhbarchitects, "19-08-CEL Celbridge Pedestrian Bridge: Drawing/Document Issue Sheet Stage 2A Part 8 Planning", pg. 9, link, May 2022.

Where is it to be?

Location map of the proposed new active travel bridge.  Source: KCC, dhbarchitects, "19-08-CEL Celbridge Pedestrian Bridge: Drawing/Document Issue Sheet Stage 2A Part 8 Planning", pg. 6, link, May 2022.

Progress to date

December 2024

The December 2024 KCC Chief Executive’s Management Report suggests that detailed design work has begun:

"Allocation: €225,000

Detailed design of bridge structure and ancillary works are progressing."

November 2024

The November 2024 KCC Chief Executive’s Management Report repeats that there is a €225k budget allocation and that site investigations continue to delay detailed design work.

October 2024

The October 2024 KCC Chief Executive’s Management Report repeats that there is a €225k budget allocation and that site investigations continue to delay detailed design work.

September 2024

There is a budget allocation of €225k but "site investigations are delaying the detailed design of bridge structure and ancillary works."

(Source: the September 2024 KCC Chief Executive’s Management Report).

September 2022

Celbridge Leixlip MD Councillors vote to accept the overall Part 8 report with 2 amendments.

July 2022

Report on consultation feedback completed.

May 2022

Part 8 Consultation opens.

April 2019

KIldare County Council advised the Councillors that on a recent visit by the Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to Kildare County Council, the Roads Department was advised that the NTA had appointed a design consultant to progress the proposal and complete the required reports/documentation for the statutory Part 8 procedure. The anticipated timeline for the commencement of the statutory Part 8 procedure was mid 2019.

August 2018

The National Transport Authority and Kildare County Council published a report on 24th August 2018 regarding options available for pedestrians, cyclists and traffic to cross the Liffey Bridge more safely. Copies of the report were provided to Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District Councillors and North Kildare TDs. This report has still to be made public but we believe the report proposes

  • removal of the footpath on the current vehicular bridge to widen the space available for vehicular traffic;
  • addition of a boardwalk on the outside of the bridge between the Bank of Ireland and the Abbey Lodge (McNamee's);
  • restrictions on traffic turning  up the Hazelhatch Road in an effort to alleviate traffic delays and congestion; and
  • possibly other traffic restrictions.
Frequently asked questions

Why do we need this bridge?  Is the existing pedestrian bridge to the south of the vehicular bridge not enough?

The existing pedestrian bridge has a number of critical drawbacks:

  • It is prone to flooding.
  • It is wheelchair unfriendly.
  • Many approaches for cyclists are hazardous.
  • It is poorly positioned for pedestrian movements from Main Street across the river.

The new pedestrian/cyclist bridge will accommodate better movements from Main Street, provide safe transit for all users types across the river, and improve traffic flow on the vehicular bridge by allowing for a widening of lanes there.

When is it expected to be completed?

We are not aware of any communication with an estimated date for completion.