A provisional date of the 8th of next month has been set for the official opening of the new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the River Shannon in Athlone.
The bridge which forms a vital part of the Dublin to Galway greenway route was made in Seville in southern Spain and was transported to Ireland in 13 different sections.
It was assembled at Wansboro Park in Athlone, and floated down the river in September of last year.
Senior Executive Engineer Michael Kelly says while the bridge may have appeared finished in recent months, a lot of finishing works have been necessary to make sure the structure blends in with its surroundings.
'They have been doing finishes to the bridge and there's also a lot of ramps and associated infrastructure either side of the bridge , a lot of which is hidden now as part of the design trying to screen in into the Radisson hotel and the Luan Gallery and the old R446 on the west side.
So, a lot of it you don't see anymore so as to make it very simple and slick.'
