Contracts Signed for widening works on Hughes Bridge in Sligo Town Contracts were signed earlier this week by Sligo County Council and L&M Keating Ltd to commence works at Hughes Bridge for the N4 Traffic Improvement Scheme. This project is a major enhancement to Sligo town’s road network bringing significant benefits for both local and visiting traffic.
The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Joe Queenan welcomed the commencement of these works commending the Road Design team of Sligo County Council and consulting engineers, ARUP for planning, designing and delivering the project to this stage. While acknowledging there would be a certain level of inconvenience for motorists Councillor Queenan points to the benefits which will be evident upon completion of the scheme.
Hughes Bridge links the N4 National Primary Route with the N15 and the N16 and is the main crossing point of the Garvoge river. The existing bridge was completed in 1988, consisting of 2 traffic lanes moving in northerly and southerly directions. There can be restricted traffic flow, especially in a southerly direction and lane swapping approaching the bridge is common which leads to collisions.
This current development will widen Hughes bridge by providing 2 new combined cycle/foot bridges, one on either side of the bridge. The cycle/foot bridges, which will be cantilevered off the piers of the existing bridge will span the length of the bridge with an overall length of 62m. The existing footpaths will be removed allowing for 3 lanes of traffic in each direction. The scheme also includes the extension of the footway from the footbridge along Markievcz Road to tie in with the existing footpath.
The NRA approved funding in 2014 and works went to tender with the scheme being awarded to L&M Keating Ltd. It is estimated that the duration of the scheme will be 9 months at a cost of approximately €2.5m before VAT.
It is anticipated that there will be significant traffic disruption for the duration of the construction works. Normal working hours will be Monday to Saturday from 7.00am to 7.00pm. It may also be necessary to work on Sundays and at night‐time to avoid additional congestion.
Back Row Left-Right: Michael Reale, Project Manager, L&M Keating; Eric Gilroy, SCC Road Design; Bernard Scott, SCC Road Design; Brian Flynn, SCC Project Engineer; Ann-Marie Gallagher, Senior Engineer, ARUP; Emer Concannon, SCC Senior Engineer; Denis Crowley, Director, ARUP; Councillor Hubert Keaney; Tom Brennan, SCC Senior Engineer & Karen Kennedy, SCC Roads Admin. Front Row Left-Right: Francis Cleary, Contracts Manager, L&M Keating; Louis Keating, Managing & Project Director, L&M Keating; Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Queenan; Ciáran Hayes. Chief Executive SCC & Tom Kilfeather, SCC Director of Services.
Information regarding the works and traffic management will be co‐ordinated through the Communications Office of Sligo County Council; through the weekly ‘Roads Report’ which is issued to the various relevant agencies and placed on the Council website. Adverts of advance notice of Major Road works will be placed in the local press and the local radio.
Updates will also be available from the
www.sligococo.ie/hughesbridge
www.facebook.com/sligocountycouncil
@sligococo
