the city s bridges

From Carlisle Square, at the junction of Carlisle Road, Abercorn Road and John Street, the river is crossed by the splendid Craigavon Bridge. Officially opened by the Lord Mayor of London in 1933. With a length of 400 yards and a width of 60 feet, it consists of upper and lower decks for road traffic. The first bridge across the Foyle was of timber. Constructed in 1790, it was badly damaged in 1814 by floating ice and repaired at a cost of IR18,300. The bridge crossed between Bridge Street and Fountain Hill and had a drawbridge, as the inhabitants of Strabane had rights of navigation down the Foyle. The wooden bridge was replaced by Carlisle Bridge in 1863. A second river crossing downstream from the City was completed in 1984 and is known as the Foyle Bridge. This bridge was partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund, it is sometimes referred to as 'Hume's' Bridge in recognition to the work put in by the local M.E.P., John Hume, in securing financing.