Designing a road bridge over the Boyne was not an easy task. At the chosen point, upstream from Drogheda, the ground level on the south is elevated, with a sudden drop while the north bank slopes gradually down to the river. The area is environmentally sensitive, especially the reed beds on the north bank and the flora and fauna of Yellow Island in the middle of the river. The area has a rich heritage as it is also situated adjacent to the area in which the
Battle of the Boyne took place in 1690. The answer was a cable-stayed bridge. Although at a cost of €35 million The bridge is managed under a public-private partnership between the
National Roads Authority (on behalf of the Irish Government) and a private company, Celtic Roads Group. The concession operator has an obligation to maintain the road for 30 years. The bridge and motorway are
tolled in both directions to finance its construction and maintenance, and to generate profit for Celtic Roads Group. In 2006, the Bridge was awarded the Excellence Award (Civil) from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland. ==Name==