An Bord Pleanala today gave permission for work to start on a new bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin’s docklands.
The bridge, which is expected to be completed by 2004 at a cost of £20 million, will span the river between Guild St and Macken St at St John Rogerson’s Quay.
It will initially have four lanes open to traffic, two of which will subsequently be converted for use by the proposed Docklands area buy service and possibly the Luas light railway line.
The bridge will also have cycle tracks and footpaths.
The 120 metre bridge will be a cable-stayed structure capable of lifting to allow ships to pass under it.
An Bord Pleanala said the bridge would "make a positive contribution to the overall management of traffic and transportation in Dublin city."
It concluded the development would not have "significant adverse effects", after studying an Environmental Impact Report.