Barrow Bridge
Barrow rail bridge, (or the Barrow viaduct), is a pratt truss type of railway bridge that spans the river Barrow between County Kilkenny and County Wexford in the south east of Ireland. This rural landmark with a length of 2,131 ft (650 m) is the longest bridge on the river. It was second longest bridge in Ireland and the third longest rail bridge on the islands of Ireland & Great Britain. Designed by Sir Benjamin Baker and built by the firm of Sir William Arrol. It is known locally as Barrow Bridge.
Barrow Bridge | |
|---|---|
A photo of Barrow Bridge open with a boat passing through. | |
| Coordinates | 52.281387°N 7.001947°W |
| Carries | Trains |
| Crosses | River Barrow |
| Locale | County Kilkenny and County Wexford |
| Other name(s) | Barrow Viaduct Barrow Railway Bridge |
| Maintained by | Iarnród Éireann |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | pratt truss |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 2,131 ft (650 m) |
| Clearance below | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| History | |
| Architect | Sir Benjamin Baker |
| Constructed by | Sir William Arrol |
| Fabrication by | Sir William Arrol and Co. |
| Construction start | 1902 |
| Construction end | 1906 |
| Opened | 1906 |
| Closed | 2010 |
| Location | |
Part of a development to improve cross-channel passenger services. The steel truss single track bridge was built between 1902 and 1906 by English and Irish railway companies, it operated passenger services between Rosslare Harbour and Waterford until 2010. It is maintained by Iarnród Éireann, the Irish rail operator.
This bridge is one of six rail bridges of 45 bridges on the Barrow. It spans the river just upstream from its confluence with another of the three sisters the River Suir. Close to Great Island Power Station near Cheekpoint. It is the last bridge on the river Barrow and opens approximately twice daily to permit shipping and yachts to pass upstream to New Ross.
In 2021, reports in local media suggested the bridge would be permanently opened to shipping. This proposal was later reversed. After a collision with a ship in February 2022, Irish Rail announced plans to pin the bridge open in December 2022 to perform repair works.