Dublin's Samuel Becket Bridge was opened to traffic today following an inauguration ceremony yesterday.
The 120m-long cable-stayed bridge opens to allow the passage of marine traffic and has a curved pylon that rises 48m above water level. A Graham Hollandia joint venture built the superstructure in Rotterdam in the Netherlands before bringing it to Ireland by barge in a five-day journey. It was mounted on its central support pier in May.
"It's rare that an artist is able to contribute to the blueprint of such a historically rich city and I am deeply honored to provide Dublin with not one, but two signature bridges," said designer Santiago Calatrava. He had also designed the James Joyce Bridge, which was completed in 2003.
The US$88.3 million Samuel Becket project was commissioned by Dublin City Council and funded by the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government, Dublin City Council and Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
