It is planned to complete extensive repairs to Latoon Bridge in the autumn of 2017.
A temporary weight restriction of 3.5 tonnes was introduced at the Bridge in November 2015 after a routine structural investigation identified weaknesses and the need for a load assessment to be carried out to determine the load carrying capacity of the structure.
Information of the latest plans were unveiled at the December meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Senior Executive Engineer with Clare County Council Eamon O’Dea. “The Council has carried out a thorough inspection of the existing bridge deck. The outcome of this investigation is that it is recommended that the most cost effective method of dealing with the bridge is to replace the deck in its entirety”.
These details have been forwarded to the Department of Transport. Clare County Council is awaiting confirmation from the Department to see if funding is available for the project. A tendering process for works will begin once approval has been given.
O’Dea expects works to commence in late August or early September of next year with a four to six month construction period. He stated that the current weight restriction would remain in place with vehicle classification counts to continue.
His response was in relation to a motion from Clarecastle Cllr Paul Murphy. Commenting on the update provided, Murphy said it sounded like “a big job that would require considerable funds”. The Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council thanked Eamon O’Dea for the reply. Paul also asked for the information to be publicised through the local authority’s communications officer as “members of the public don’t have a clue what’s happening”.