This article is from page 6 of the 2009-06-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
REMEDIAL works on a bridge con- structed as part of the €200 million Ennis bypass and which has been found to be “unstable” are expected to take a further four months despite being originally scheduled to finish two months ago.
Last November, Gama _ Strabag Construction, who built the Ennis bypass, told Clare County Council that it needed to carry out essential urgent repairs to the western abut- ment of one of the bridges on the N85 Western Relief Road which is part of the N18 Ennis bypass. Gama re- ported that excess movement had oc- curred on the abutment to the bridge that spans the River Fergus.
The company stated that essential works “would be required to ensure the long-term durability of the bridge and to ease maintenance require- ments in the medium to long term for NTomCIOMELOLAU Dom
The works have resulted in traffic being cut to one lane in each direc- tion on the dual-carriageway while a reduced speed limit has also been implemented at the location. The work was due to be completed on March 29 but the council has now confirmed that it could take a further four months.
A statement issued by the coun- cil maintains that during the design phase of the project, it had been en- visaged that some movement of the abutment on the River Fergus Bridge
would take place after construction was completed and this was catered for in the design and construction of the structure. Since opening of the dual-carriageway link road, however, the movement has been greater than that envisaged by the contractor and their designer.
‘The weather has had a much more significant adverse influence on in- vestigative and resolution related works on the site than originally en- visaged. There are also some very complex design-related issues which have had to be overcome. Satisfac-
tory progress is being made and at this stage it is envisaged that resolu- tion works will be completed on site within the next three to four months,” the statement concluded.
The work is being undertaken after very large deposits of relatively poor quality material were encountered in the vicinity of the bridge, particu- larly on the west side of the river. The contractor and designer are now un- dertaking a foundation solution for the western support abutment which involves concrete piles up to 25 me- tres deep.
A council spokesperson confirmed that the local authority will not incur the costs associated with the reme- dial works while Gama will not be subjected to any financial penalty as a result of the additional works.