Case Study
O’Shaughnessy Bridge
OVERVIEW
This is an iconic pedestrian bridge giving a new pedestrian access route to the campus of University of Galway. It is a 48m long, cable stayed, steel bridge over the Eglinton Canal, with a separate 15m long approach bridge over the Newcastle River.
The bridge is a Bar Stayed Bridge similar in form to a Cable Stayed Bridge. The bridge deck is 3 metres wide and is designed for use by both pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge deck and pylon superstructure are fabricated using structural steelwork. The stays which support the deck are high grade stainless steel. The bridge parapets are stainless steel.
The Michael O’Shaughnessy Bridge is a very elegant structure and has opened up a section of the Galway City waterways not normally visited. The carefully designed lighting of the bridge enhances the visual attractiveness of the structure.
University of Galway carefully chose the name to acknowledge the very significant contribution made by Michael O’Shaughnessy, to the engineering profession during his career in San Francisco in the early 1900’s and in particular his association with the world renowned Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
