New bridge planned for Glenbeigh

COUNCIL WILL SEEK APPROVAL TO REPLACE ‘S-SHAPED’ BRIDGE ON RING OF KERRY ROAD

KERRY County Council (KCC) has said it will seek approval from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for a new bridge near Glenbeigh NS to replace the narrow Behy Bridge on the world famous Ring of Kerry.

KCC outlined this in response to a notice of motion from Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill at a recent meeting of the members of South and West Kerry Municipal District.

The council hopes construction for the N70 Glanbehy Bridge Project – which would also include work to improve alignment on both approaches to the crossing – can begin as early as 2018.

The council’s National Road Design Office (Kerry NRDO) has developed three route options for the work, which range between €3million and €4.5million.

Council management will now seek the necessary approvals and funding from TII.

“All proposals for the N70 Glanbehy Bridge Road Project, which involves the construction of a new bridge and a combination of both off-line and on-line realignments, are presently being appraised,” a council response explained.

Kerry County Council Senior Roads Engineer Padraic Teahan explained that the options range between 900 metres and 1,850 metres in length. It is thought the construction process would take approximately 12 months.

A route selection report will be finalised and submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in the coming months. Environmental screenings and assessments have been completed, and the council has stated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required.

“I am delighted with this news,” Councillor Cahill said of the plans to replace the Behy bridge, which currently features a series of low-radius bends.

“However I would strongly advise that consideration be given to Glenbeigh NS, which is located immediately adjacent to the existing S-shaped bridge, in whatever proposal is deemed most appropriate,” he added.