Newbridge second bridge is one step closer to being delivered

A COMPANY has been appointed to progress Newbridge road and River Liffey bridge scheme backed by €20m government infrastructure funding PUNCH Consulting Engineers, a COWI company, has been appointed by Evara Developments to progress the detailed design and tender stages of the Newbridge South Outer Orbital Road (NSOOR), a major infrastructure scheme in County Kildare supported by €20 million in Housing Infrastructure Investment Funding secured by Kildare County Council.

The project will deliver approximately 790 metres of new single carriageway distributor road and a 170-metre, five-span bridge across the River Liffey, creating a new connection between the Great Connell and Kilbelin areas.

The road and bridge will also provide critical infrastructure for planned residential growth in the area, improving access to development lands and supporting the phased delivery of new homes as Newbridge expands.

Evara Developments is progressing the project through a partnership model with Kildare County Council. Alongside the road and bridge, the scheme includes new walking and cycling facilities, junction improvements, drainage and utilities and a 9.2-hectare River Park incorporating recreational amenities, biodiversity enhancements and sustainable water management features.

PUNCH previously provided the civil and structural engineering expertise that supported the project through planning, with permission granted by Kildare County Council in 2023. Tender documentation is targeted for issue by the end of 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027 and completion targeted for Q4 2028.

The appointment is one of PUNCH’s first major infrastructure project announcements since joining COWI in June 2026, following COWI’s acquisition of the Irish multidisciplinary engineering consultancy as part of its expansion across Ireland.