Designed to encourage sustainable modes of transport and provide greater access to the heart of the city, the new bridge is a destination in itself, offering a place to enjoy impressive views of Belfast Lough.
The new 8 meter wide and 120 meter long Lagan Weir footbridge links Belfast city center to the city’s Titanic Quarter, a large-scale waterfront regeneration project.
Our design concept was ‘simple-elegance’ with an emphasis on the quality of materials and lighting design to give the perception of a ribbon of light across the water. The bridge also features several technically challenging design concepts including utilizing the existing piers of the River Lagan weir to support the asymmetric cantilevered deck, glazed parapets and a fully clad soffit.
The original Lagan weir and maintenance bridge opened in 1992, designed by AECOM legacy company Ferguson McIlveen. Since then, we have delivered ongoing maintenance and support work for the weir and bridge.
The weir was originally designed to keep the level of the upstream river constant which has not only enabled several new riverside communities to be developed but also improved the local environment and water quality. The new bridge was set against the existing weir, curved in plan and profile, offering views of the weir upstream and downstream to Belfast Lough.
Northern Ireland’s Social Development Minister described the bridge as “a catalyst for further and future development” and the project won a UK Civic Trust Award and Lighting Project of the Year at the Northern Ireland Electrical Awards.
Client
Northern Ireland Department for Social Development
Services
- Architecture
- Structural engineering
- Mechanical and electrical engineering
- Environmental town planning
- Contract administration
- Site supervision
