Work Begins on Ł270,000 Clonfad Bridge Replacement

25 October 2004
WORK BEGINS ON Ł270,000 CLONFAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

Roads Service announced today, work will begin to replace the Clonfad Bridge in County Fermanagh, on Monday 1 November. This Ł270,000 scheme forms part of an overall joint improvement strategy for the A3/N54 by Roads Service and Monaghan County Council.

This particular border bridge is located on the outskirts of Clones and crosses a tributary of the River Finn. It is a twin arch masonry structure, which was probably constructed around the same time as the Ulster Canal. Its condition has deteriorated to such an extent that repair is prohibitively expensive. Replacement with a new structure will provide better value for money and less disruption to road users in the longer term.

In order to facilitate this work the A3 Cavan Road will be closed from 1 November to 10 December 2004 and from 3 January to 26 March 2005. A diversion via Wattlebridge and Newtownbutler will be sign posted. The road will be re-opened, temporarily, between 11December 2004 and 2January 2005 to minimise disruption during the Christmas period.

The new bridge consists of a precast concrete single arch, which is much quicker to construct than traditional cast insitu construction. The design ensures minimal disruption to the riverbed and the banks resulting in negligible adverse effects to the natural habitat of the area. The opportunity has also been taken to widen the road at the bridge and to enhance driver visibility. The parapet walls, spandrel walls and the wing walls of the new bridge will be clad in locally acquired stone.

The contractor is Carey Group PLC of Naas, Co. Kildare.

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