Essential repair works to Newry Road bridge

FEBRUARY 1989

TRAFFIC chaos looms as only one lane will operate over the Newry Road bridge for five weeks to allow essential repair work to the structure.

A staggering 18,000 passenger vehicles cross the bridge daily. Only O’Connell Bridge in Dublin has similar usage.

Special temporary lights will be installed to regulate the flow of traffic. Lights at the Lisdoo junction will not operate for the duration.

Dundalk urban council hears the news at a planning meeting, and already councillors are bracing themselves for a flow of complaints.

However, town engineer Tom Kilgarriff says this is the best solution he can recommend to the county manager.

A cantilever footpath over the river would cost as much as the repairs, while having an operative as a ‘ lollipop man’ is not fully satisfactory.

So, in the interest of the safety of traffic, pedestrians and workers, and to avoid any liability issues for the council, he is making this recommendation.

Mr Kilgarriff admits the new system will inconvenience people.

While they are taken aback by the implications of the proposal, the council becomes resigned to accepting it on safety grounds.

Cllr Stephen Burns suggests they seek legal opinion on erecting signs either side of the bridge with the phone number of the Department of the Environment on them and tell people to ring up if they are dissatisfied with what is happening.

Chairman Cllr Séamus Keelan proposes a letter be written to the minister highlighting the serious situation regarding the ‘ big bridge’; and point out in the strongest language the necessity for completion of phases 3 and 4 of the bypass.

Cllr Fra Browne is assured the situation on the bridge will be reviewed daily.