A new bridge over the Owenriff River in Oughterard is now a certainty as Transport Infrastructure Ireland will appoint consultants to provide a design before the end of June.
The campaign for a new bridge for the town has been a long-running one with the current bridge regarded as dangerous. The news has been welcomed by Independent Galway West TD, Noel Grealish, who has raised the issue with a number of Government ministers.
Dep Grealish noted that traffic on the bridge is “enormously busy”, despite there being “barely enough room for two cars to pass over”. As there is no footpath, it is also “a huge danger to children who use it going to and from school every day”.
No temporary footbridge
However, a design for a new bridge is expected to be completed before the end of the summer. In a letter to Dep Grealish, Michael Kennedy, head of regulatory and administration with TII, said the proposed replacement bridge would improve the flow of traffic and provide safe passage for pedestrians across the river.
While there will be no temporary footbridge at the site, Mr Kennedy said the Galway County Council and TII are committed to “securing a permanent solution”. Dep Grealish welcomed the response, saying “pedestrians take their lives in their hands every time they cross the current bridge”.
