“HICCUPS” are causing concern for elected members in East Clare as the Shannon Bridge Crossing nears its completion.
A western bypass of Killaloe is to be provided along with a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgrade of the existing R494 regional road from Ballina to the N7 at Bridhill as part of the proposed proposed Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme. In total, the entire scheme is an approximate 6.2km in length.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling in his monthly management report confirmed that the kentledge and approach slabs have been concreted for the Shannon Bridge, the waterproofing to deck has been complete along with the sand asphalt to deck. He said the concrete works to the viewing platforms is complete and finishing works are progressing.
Regarding the Shannon Bridge crossing link, he said the paving to binder course has been completed at the Shauntraud to Clarisford junction and the construction of walls to the embankment are ongoing at the Clarisford to West Embankment section. He said, “Progress has been steady during the current period”.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Council, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) commented, “we’re coming to a near enough completion of the Shannon Bridge Crossing, it is a very welcome piece of infrastructure for the whole of East Clare, it will be vital to us all. There are some issues and hiccups which are concerning, I am asking the Director and senior management of the Council to meet with the five Killaloe Municipal District councillors, Brian McCarthy (area co-ordinator) and Declan Flanagan (senior engineer) very quickly. The project is coming to a conclusion”.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) said he was “delighted” the Shannon Bridge Crossing was progressing. He reminded the meeting “ a lot of materials came from the Shannon MD and in Ardnacrusha, I would ask that any dealings be done on getting the bits of pieces finished up that we wouldn’t forget about Meelick and Ardnacrusha where lorries were pulling material out of and that any parts of the road which were damaged be repaired”.
Director of Service, Alan Farrell told the meeting that area engineers had been asked “to keep an eye on roads and road conditions prior to the works”. He added, “the reality is the majority will be left to road works programme but we will make a case where needed”.
