A new high-quality active travel bridge across the Liffey between the Point Village and the East Link toll plaza, which was to run directly to the west of Tom Clarke Bridge, is delayed again.The previous project update in the first half of 2024 outlined that the project would be in the planning system by 2025 and would have an anticipated opening date of around 2029. Options to improve active travel conditions at the crossing including attaching a structure to the current bridge have been considered at least as far back as 2017.The current bridge has heavy traffic, narrow footpaths, and no space for cycling, while the new bridge would create a high-quality cycle route between the North Docklands and East Wall on the north side and the south side areas of Ringsend, Irishtown, and Sandymount. It could also likely form the main trunk of the S2S Dublin Bay cycle route, although a lower-quality cycle path is planned to be included on the bridge being built by the Dublin Port Company. The Dublin Port bridge, part of their 3FM Project, would be east of the existing road bridge, and the road and active travel route would then run along a viaduct as far as the current location of the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club.This route would be closest to the water, but it would also be closer to busy roads, leaving the planned main S2S route which, in this area, would largely run via Fairview Park possibly more attractive.Regarding its planned bridge, this week, Dublin City Council said it has appointed a contractor to dig test holes around each side of the bridge, and that work is to get underway next week. IMAGE From a public consultation held in 2024.In an update, the council said: Dublin City Council is progressing the preliminary design stage of the Point Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Project. As part of this process, slit trench excavations are required to gather ground information to inform the design. Dublin City Council has appointed Causeway Geotech Ltd to carry out the ground investigation works on North Wall Quay, on the north side of the Tom Clarke Bridge.IMAGE: Draft drawings from June 2024.The test work will include slit trenches at selected locations on North Wall Quay and is scheduled to take place during the week of May 18th22nd 2026.The council said: Investigation works will take place at selected locations on North Wall Quay and on the north side of the Tom Clarke Bridge. These works will consist of slit trenches and are planned to take place during the week commencing on Monday, 18 May to Friday, 22 May 2026 between 08.00 and 18.00. Overnight works for this investigation are planned to take place on the 22 of May 2026 between 22.00 and 06.00. These overnight works will include a temporary lane closure.More details can be found via the bridges project page for the Point Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge and Tom Clarke Bridge Widening Works.