River Liffey prepares to welcome new 190m bridge as part of Dublin Port Company's 3FM project

Dublin Port’s new bridge hopes to connect the North and South as part of the 3FM project for a more expansive port and so pedestrians and bicyclists can have an easier time navigating the city without larger vehicles in the way. This project also hopes to add a new storage unit for Dublin Port because of the large amount of business activities with the amount of imports and exports.

"With the value of exports up to 3.5 times that of imports it is clear to see how important the export sector is to the economy and indeed, how successful the State’s FDI strategy has been,” claimed Dublin Port chief executive Barry O’Connell.

Stretching 190m in length, the new structure is not the only added element to the Dublin Port, as Dublin Port Company also plans to add a new ro-ro terminal and a maritime village north of Sean Moore roundabout. The maritime village will also include areas for rowing, sailing, and a new port park.

The new bridge is part of a 2.2 km road and will be located east of the Tom Clarke Bridge. The new passageway will also have the ability to lift upwards with 45m of the bridge being able to lift upwards over the River Liffey.  The bridge may also feature a Luas rail.

Southern Port Access Route (SPAR) looking east with the new community gain highlighted

In front of Pigeon Harbour House is another addition with a 325m ship turning circle. The largest addition, however, is Ireland’s largest container terminal with it being over 625m deep in water berths. The new terminal is hoping to be completed by 2040, along with the rest of the project, to make way for the new trailers and other elements arriving to Dublin Port in the near future.

“Dublin Port will need to maximise capacity within its existing footprint for an annual throughput of 3.1 million trailers and containers by 2040,” stated O’Connell.

However, the plan is not just to maximise the economic elements of the port. One of the project’s seven goals is community gain with four main areas of focus: recreation, public realm, community and heritage. The other objectives include the Southern Part Access Route (SPAR) and maritime village, in addition to the other additions.

The 3FM project is quite literally what it means for the Dublin Port expansion. O’Connell shared, “We are very pleased to be progressing the 3FM project – which literally means ‘third and final’ project of Masterplan 2040.”

Dublin Port Company has today commenced a second round of public consultation on the 3FM Project, the third & final Masterplan project needed to complete the development of Dublin Port & bring it to its ultimate and final capacity by 2040.
Find out more - https://t.co/f24bvMnFdG pic.twitter.com/7Gsq6dWmdc

— Dublin Port Company (@DublinPortCo) March 21, 2023

There is currently a consultation period open until Friday 28 April. Some of the residents in the Poolbeg Peninsula have already shared their concerns for the new 3FM project.

The proposed location of the new storage facility is right next to an EU Conversation Area and a UNESCO Marine Biosphere, with many residents finding this to be a major problem. The Sandymount and Merrion Residents’ Association (SAMRA) highlighted this project as being wrong and the need for the plans to be adjusted.

Chairman of SAMRA David Turner said, “This creeping type of port development is not how this unique finite city central resource should be used. It may suit the businesses operating in the port but it is regressive for the needs of the community.”

The project aims to be completed by 2040. O’Connell concluded, “Dublin Port Company takes a generational approach to development at the Port – large infrastructure projects take up to 20 years from inception to completion. We know what we have to deliver on to enable Ireland’s growth up to 2040 and beyond.”