Road Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Dramatic parabolic arch supporting three lane carriageway into city. Concrete construction unadorned except for groove along centre of exposed ends. This gives the impression that there are two interlocked rings supporting the road rather than a monolithic 1 metre deep construction. Simple concrete paving slabs and a full size road lamp under the arch add to the ‘matter-of-factness’ of the composition. As with many good designs it belies its complexity and appears to be a simple and obvious solution to the problem of providing a crossing over church road for the carriageway rising above. There is no indication of the bridge at the level of the upper road apart from a length of crash barrier in the undergrowth.

Historical information

Built in 1967 by W & J Taggart. Designed by Sir William Halcrow and Partners. Mr Derek German was the Department of Environment engineer in charge. Mr Dougie Caldwell was clerk of works.

References:

Doe Road Service Coleraine Records.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Dramatic and interesing concrete arch structure forming a short tunnel under Glenshane Road.