Bridge preservation award
A County Council engineer has won a prestigious national award for his work on preserving an 18th century bridge.
Gary Salter, Senior Executive Engineer with the council, was presented with Engineers Ireland, Excellence Award in the Heritage and Conservation category for his work on Culfadda Bridge at an awards ceremony in Dublin. The Awards are sponsored by the Office of Public Works.
Cathaoirleach of the Council, Cllr. Hubert Keaney congratulated Mr Salter saying it was indicative of the high level expertise and experience available in- house at the council. “Right across the main service areas, the professionalism and dedication of our staff have been a major asset for his authority, particularly at a time when staff resources have been seriously reduced. Gary Salter’s exemplary work in the area of bridge conservation is widely acknowledged, and this national recognition is well deserved,” he said.
The award citation noted that Culfadda bridge in South Sligo carried unrestricted traffic loading. “The significant masonry structure dated from pre 1800 and was over 80m long. The current single span ( 15’ 6”) segmental arch element dates from circa 1840 and replaces the former two spanned arch bridge. The retaining walls are propped by buttresses.
“Many structural components were defective and extensive work was necessary. The finished product has been well received by the local community and enhances the village and its envi- ronment. The repair is to a high standard in terms of aesthetics and appropriate material and workmanship.”
The Heritage and Conservation Award is open to Engineering organisations or engineers for excellence in design or delivery of a project which conserves a historic property or protected structure.
Work on the bridge required a wide variety of competencies to address the defects and deficiencies of the structure in an appropriate manner. The upstream portion of the arch had separated from the body of the arch, several parts of the extensive wing walls were leaning outwards to a disturbing extent and buttresses constructed at various times in the past were in different stages of collapse and the original eighteenth century bridge had been replaced by a new arch in c1840.
The bulk of the parapets were also defective. A variety of repairs, structural interventions and reconstructions were necessary and conservation principles were the core principle. The council acknowledged and thanked civil engineering main contractor, Mullane Plant Hire Ltd and particularly Garry Mullane for his cooperation and flexibility when changes were necessary after unearthing certain problems and Sean Waters the masonry sub contractors for persevering to achieve a high standard of traditional masonry finish required and of course for taking down and reconstructing part of the main arch and over elements.
Chartered Engineer, Dessie Sloyan of Sligo County Council was involved throughout and his contribution was also acknowledged.
Director of Services Tom Kilfeather said the award to Mr Salter recognised his long standing commitment and dedication to the protection and enhancement of this type of infrastructure that is a much undervalued part of our heritage.
““This Bridge was built two centuries ago and the work undertaken now under the expert guidance and management of Gary will ensure that this asset will continue to be part of our landscape for hundreds of years more. Gary has done similar work with many other bridges across the county in his long career with the council and he is recognised nationally as an expert in these type conservation works.”