Translink: Try public transport to avoid traffic, says O’Dowd

The timeline for removing the bridge has not been released, but the road on which it is located, Durham Street, is closed.

Translink chief executive Chris Conway indicated the removal would take place soon.

He told BBC News NI: “Preparation work is underway at the moment for the Boyne Bridge. We have closed Durham Street and will be mobilizing construction crews in the coming days and weeks, and dismantling of the Boyne Bridge will take place shortly thereafter.”

He added: “A key part of the dismantling will be underway by Christmas.”

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society failed in a last-minute legal attempt to stop any work taking place on the bridge.

However, society has indicated that it is not giving up.

The bridge overlooks the new Grand Central Station, which is now fully operational after train services began on Sunday.

Buses began running five weeks ago from the £340 million station.

A new train timetable is now in use and passengers have been encouraged to check it before any journey.

All trains to Dublin from Belfast now start at Grand Central instead of Lanyon Place station.

From the end of October, 15 trains a day will begin running each way between Belfast and Dublin on weekdays.