The Seán O’Casey Bridge was built in 2005 as part of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority’s large-scale urban regeneration program to link the north and south quays and revitalize both. But why hasn’t the bridge been utilized in the past years?
The reason the bridge cannot be used is because someone lost the remote control for the Celtic Tiger Bridge in Ireland that was supposed to swing open for ships, and it took four years to open.
About Seán O’Casey Bridge or The Celtic Tiger Bridge
Seán O’Casey Bridge in Dublin, which has been closed to shipping for years, was reopened in 2014 after scientists developed a new remote control for the bridge.
The footbridge was built in 2002 by the ill-fated Dublin Docklands Development Authority to increase pedestrian links in the city during a period of rapid expansion.
It spans the Liffey between the IFSC and City Quay and is designed to swing apart, allowing sailboats to travel upriver to the Talbot Memorial Bridge.
The design of the bridge features two 44-meter-long arms that can swing open when needed. A handheld remote controls the swinging mechanism of the bridge, but as reported in 2013, the remote control went missing a few years back, rendering the functionality of the bridge close to impossible. (Source: The Journal)
How Did They Lose the Remote Control?
The authority, which is set to be decommissioned in the coming months, has relocated offices many times in recent years, and it’s possible that the remote, which is said to be approximately the size of a first-generation cellular phone was simply misplaced in the process.
The Financial Advisor to the authority, John Crawley was appointed to oversee the wind-up process. He confirmed that it was once again possible to open the structure for shipping following an engineering review. Due to a lack of funding previously the process did not push through immediately as planned.
As part of the overhaul, work has been carried out on the bridge itself as well, and contractors were tasked with reprogramming a device they could use to control the bridge.
It’s not like a Sky box remote control. You have to make sure that it’s a secure system, so there are layers of security.
John Crawley
According to Crawley, an Irish-based firm carried out the reprogramming, and that aspect of the work cost around €1,800.
Engineering work commenced in 2014, and the bridge was fully operational within the same year. (Source: The Journal)
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority Wind-Up
Following the publication of a critical report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, former Environment Minister Phil Hogan announced the DDDA’s wind-up in 2012.
It drew attention to flaws in the Authority’s decision-making processes regarding its involvement in purchasing the former Irish Glass Bottle plant in Ringsend.
At the height of the property boom in 2006, the Dublin 4 site was sold for €431 million to a group that included the DDDA. In the aftermath of the crash, it was revalued at €45 million and transferred to Nama’s custody. (Source: The Journal)
The Hand-over of Sean O’Casey Bridge.
Dublin City Council will officially control the Authority’s functions once legislation enacting that transition goes through the Oireachtas.
After the current restoration program is finished, the Council plans to take over operational responsibility for the Sean O’Casey Bridge. (Source: The Journal)