Business

New bridge opens linking Europa bus station to M1 and Broadway Roundabout

The new overbridge forms part of the new bus lane linking the Europa bus station with the M1/Broadway Roundabout.
The new overbridge forms part of the new bus lane linking the Europa bus station with the M1/Broadway Roundabout. The new overbridge forms part of the new bus lane linking the Europa bus station with the M1/Broadway Roundabout.
By Ryan McAleer

THE opening of a new bridge as part of the Belfast Grand Central Station construction project will shorten journey times for many bus passengers from Monday, Translink has announced.

The new overbridge forms part of the new bus lane linking the Europa bus station with the M1/Broadway Roundabout.

Its construction has resulted in months of delays for bus journeys, which have been accessing the Europa station via Grosvenor Road and Glengall Street.

Translink said passengers using the new bus lane will see a reduction of around ten minutes on their average journey time from Monday (August 14).

Designed by Arup and constructed by Graham, the busway bridge deck weighs 480 tonnes, spanning 51 metres.

It will cross the realigned railway lines serving the new station.

Philip Brown, head of major projects at Translink, said around 400 bus services will travel across it on a daily basis when the new Grand Central hub opens in 2025.

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“Its development has been visible to anyone arriving into Belfast Great Victoria Street Station by train or using the Westlink over the past number of months and we are delighted to officially mark its opening and the return of this bus passenger priority lane through the site,” he said.

“From today, passengers will see around ten-minute reductions on journey times when travelling on services that use this direct bus lane and busway bridge to and from Europa Buscentre. 

“We’d like to thank them for their patience and flexibility while we worked to complete this part of the construction programme,” added Mr Brown.

“Its completion also enables wider station construction works to progress efficiently.”

L-R: Laura Brady, project manager, Arup; Chris Conway, group chief executive, Translink; and Andrew Henry, contracts director, Graham, opening the new busway bridge.
L-R: Laura Brady, project manager, Arup; Chris Conway, group chief executive, Translink; and Andrew Henry, contracts director, Graham, opening the new busway bridge. L-R: Laura Brady, project manager, Arup; Chris Conway, group chief executive, Translink; and Andrew Henry, contracts director, Graham, opening the new busway bridge.

The bus lane will link to the new £175 million transport hub being constructed by Spanish infrastructure giant Sacyr and Farrans.

When completed, Belfast Grand Central station will be the largest integrated transport facility on the island of Ireland.

The Executive flagship project will feature 26 new bus stands and eight railway platforms.

There are also plans in place for a speculative development surrounding the new transport hub.