Bridge Design by Santiago Calatrava in Dublin, Ireland

Samuel Beckett Bridge 2009 Santiago Calatrava SANTIAGO CALATRAVA'S SAMUEL BECKETT BRIDGE OPENS IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS CHEER Dublin Celebrates Inauguration of Second Signature Bridge World-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava announced today that his Samuel Beckett Bridge was officially inaugurated in Dublin earlier this morning. Designed by Calatrava to reduce vehicular traffic in Dublin's city centre, the Samuel Beckett Bridge unites the north and south sides of the River Liffey, creating a necessary link between the two regions. Calatrava Visit: photo : Digital Post Production The celebrated architect was commissioned by the Dublin City Council to design a signature bridge that would serve as a valuable addition to the city's transport infrastructure. Calatrava's Samuel Beckett Bridge features four lanes, two for traffic with cycle tracks and pedestrian paths on either side, as well as room for trams; to be implemented in the future. To avoid disturbing maritime traffic, Calatrava also designed the bridge with the ability to rotate 90° horizontally, enabling ships to pass. This is the second signature bridge that the architect has designed for the city of Dublin; the first being the James Joyce Bridge which was completed in 2003. "It's rare that an artist is able to contribute to the blueprint of such a historically rich city and I am deeply honored to provide Dublin with not one, but two signature bridges," said Santiago Calatrava, designer of the Samuel Beckett and James Joyce Bridges. "While working on the James Joyce Bridge, I developed a deep affinity for the people of Dublin, and I wanted my next bridge to celebrate that connection. It is my sincere hope that the Samuel Beckett Bridge will serve as a monument to Dublin, honoring its past, present and future." Samuel Beckett Bridge: photos : Peter Barrow Photographers For Calatrava, his vision was a challenge; as he was faced with the task of creating a bridge that aesthetically belonged to the present, yet that also evoked a sense of the past. Envisioning the bridge as a harp, a historical and prominent symbol of Ireland, with steel cables as its strings, the architect was able to infuse modern elements with traditional significance. The result is a bridge that both functionally and artistically pays homage to Dublin and its people. However, for Calatrava the greatest honor is his. "My deepest source of pride is in the knowledge that my work will bear the names of two of the world's greatest literary talents," said Calatrava. "Samuel Beckett and James Joyce hold great significance to the history and culture of Dublin. As authors they sought to inspire their readers and encourage them to express their own creative freedom. It is my hope that both the Samuel Beckett and James Joyce Bridges evoke the spirit of these iconic artists." To celebrate the official inauguration of the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Lord Mayor of Dublin presided over a ceremony, which took place December 10th, at Sir John Rogersons Quay.