14 October 2004

ROADS SERVICE FORGES FORWARD WITH FOYLE BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS

DRD Roads Service is progressing the improvements to the Foyle Bridge and has successfully completed the first stage of strengthening works over the weekend, 2 to 3 October. Roads Service plans to schedule the remaining three stressing operations at three to four week intervals, for the strengthening works to be completed before Christmas.

Traffic will continue to be affected by the works until August 2005. The current traffic management arrangements, involving single lane closures in both directions, will continue until the end of November. The eastbound bridge will then be fully opened to traffic. One lane will remain closed on the westbound bridge, during December.

From January to March there will be localised closures on the bridge for eastbound traffic. From March to mid May, there will be localised closures affecting westbound traffic. From mid May to the end of August, there will be a full contra-flow traffic system in operation, with all traffic using the eastbound lanes first.

Painting of the external panels of the bridge has resumed and will continue until May 2005. At that stage, a major resurfacing operation will begin to strip off the existing surface, renew the waterproofing and replace the surfacing. This work is expected to be complete by the end of August 2005.

Roads Service and their contractors will be sequencing the work to minimise the disruption to motorists using the bridge and appreciate the patience and forbearance of drivers during this period of refurbishment.

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