Mallow Bridge set to reopen to two-way traffic today

THERE was some good news for motorists in Mallow this week with Cork County Council confirming that the Mallow Bridge will reopen to two-way traffic from this morning (Thursday) at 8am.

It was initially envisaged that preparatory works on the bridge, which have included the demolition of the toilet block paving the way for the construction of the boardwalk on its western side, would have been completed sooner allowing the bridge to be fully reopened last Monday.

However, a spokesperson for Cork County Council said the delay had been unavoidable.

“Significant progress has been made in the construction programme for Mallow Boardwalk, with works to date having consisted primarily of service diversions and preparation for road construction in the area of the existing footpath over the bridge,” said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the contractor undertaking the works had committed “considerable resources” to the project, including working weekends and 12-hour shifts, in an effort to fully reopen the bridge as planned last Monday.

“However, this was not possible as further difficulties with the diversion of services as well as the need for removal of extensive quantities of poor quality fill under the existing footpath had caused further delays to the programme,” said the spokesperson.

“Cork County Council regrets this delay and apologises for any inconvenience it may have caused.”

The reopening of the northbound lane will facilitate traffic flow in both directions over the bridge, considerably easing congestion which has brought traffic to a standstill at peak times, most notably since the return of local schools after the summer holidays. A temporary footpath will also be in place for pedestrians.

The spokesperson said the project would now focus on preparatory works ahead of the installation of the boardwalk structure, which is planned to be in place in the first quarter of next year.

They said that any future closures that need to be put in place during the next phase of the project would be carried out at night time, when possible, and that the authority would be issuing regular updates on the project as its progresses.