Narrow Water Bridge: Project ‘progressing on schedule’, First Minister says

Michelle O’Neill was speaking as she gave a statement on the North South Ministerial Council, which met in September.

The bridge will connect the A2 Newry to Warrenpoint dual carriageway with the R173 at Omeath.

Hopes are high that the bridge will help develop the wider Carlingford Lough area into a major tourism destination, linking access between the villages of Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Carlingford.

During her statement the Sinn Féin vice President said that ministers had “welcomed the fact that site works for the Narrow Water bridge project began in May 2024 and that the commencement of construction was marked in June 2024 at an event attended by Ministers from both jurisdictions”.

Taking questions following the statement, her party colleague, South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis, stated: “Those of us who are local to Warrenpoint know the pace at which those works seem to be progressing. Is the First Minister in a position to give a progress update on the delivery of Narrow Water bridge?”

Mrs O'Neill responded: “That is, obviously, another strategic project for us, and there is no doubt that it will create and facilitate greater connectivity and mobility.

"It will also be a great boost to the local economy, which we all very much welcome.

"The Irish Government are meeting the construction costs via the Shared Island Fund. They are also working closely with the Department for Infrastructure and with Newry, Mourne and Down Council on what is very much a shared project.

"After all the years of campaigning, is it not great to see the work happening on the ground?

"All Ministers were pleased to discuss the progress on it. It is great news that, with the project now progressing on schedule, it is expected to be completed by late 2027, with the bridge handover and opening expected in 2028. We all look forward to that after many years of campaigning to get to this point.”