Killaloe bridge may close for works

TWO local authorities may close a historic bridge linking the twin communities of Ballina and Killaloe next Tuesday night for planned road resurfacing works.

A final decision on whether the bridge closure will go ahead is expected to be made by Clare County Council and North Tipperary County Council on Wednesday, weather permitting.
Senior executive engineer, Seán Lenihan stated it is the council’s intention to keep the inconvenience to the public to a minimum and hoped to be able to complete the works on Tuesday night, subject to a number of considerations.
However, Mr Lenihan admitted that the resurfacing works could take a second night, depending on how smoothly the job goes on the first night.
He assured residents and businesses that the bridge would reopen for use on Wednesday morning, even if a second night is needed.
In addition to planing the surface of the bridge, he explained the crossing will have to be resurfaced, manhole covers will have to be lifted and new loops will have to be cut out for the traffic lights.
Concern has been expressed by public representatives about the ponding and flooding on Killaloe bridge following periods of heavy rainfall.
Last year, Clare county councillors were unhappy when it seemed that North Tipperary County Council was not going to resurface its side of the bridge due to a lack of funding unlike Clare County Council, which had money set aside. It was subsequently decided to delay works so that both sides of the bridge could be done in a joint operation by the two local authorities.
Welcoming an imminent decision on the proposed work, Killaloe Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said councillors have regularly highlighted the need for resurfacing works.
He called on both councils to ensure the work is carried out as quickly and safely as possible to allow residents and businesses use alternative routes for the shortest amount of time possible.