GCC executive engineer David Greally and Aecom regional director, bridges, Niamh Rodgers set out three options for the proposed bridge. All three options follow the alignment of the original Clifden Railway Bridge and use the existing piers and abutments.
A rippled arch has been identified as having significant technical, aesthetic and environmental advantages over the other two options, while being neutral in terms of five more factors.
The other two options are an asymmetric cable-stayed bridge and a curved box-girder bridge. The curved box girder scored either neutrally or with some advantages across the eight criteria.
The cable-stayed option was found to have significant disadvantages in five areas and some disadvantages in the other three.