Work to start on new Ballina-Killaloe bridge

After years of planning, construction work on the long-awaited new bridge between Ballina and Killaloe is to commence imminently.

Rising costs, together with difficulty sourcing building material as a result of the war in Ukraine, had led to fears of the project being further delayed. However, Director of Services with Tipperary Co Council Marcus O'Connor has confirmed that contractor John Sisk & Sons would be commencing work in the next week or so.

As well as a new crossing between Ballina and Killaloe, which will be located approximately 1km downstream of the existing bridge, the multi-million scheme will involve a bypass of Killaloe and an upgrade of the R494 Ballina-Birdhill road. It has a projected timeframe of three years.

Local TD Alan Kelly, who has been campaigning for the new crossing for years, welcomed the commencement of works. “This project has been an absolute priority for me all my political career,” he stated.

“When I was minister in 2015, I ensured that this project was put in the capital plan and that’s how we have got to this day. There have been many ups and downs with legal objections and delays but the preliminary works that began in 2020 showed this project would go ahead. Now that all issues have been resolved with the contractor, it has finally begun.

“I spent a significant amount of time over the last week informing locals about this progress as many had questions when they saw works commencing. I want to thank the Office of Government Procurement, Clare and Tipp County Council, and the Department of Transport for getting this work commenced. Current works are ongoing with, amongst other things, surface stripping to allow for archaeological checks, the creation of a temporary access road and excavating for piling of supports on the riverbed.

“I expect construction to go on until late 2024. I have been in touch with the council and an Garda Síochána regarding the traffic management plan for the area during this construction phase. There will be challenges but we will get through them.

“I’m delighted this day has come. The benefits of this are enormous to the locality, economically and socially. This is a great day,” said Deputy Kelly.

COUNCILLOR’S WELCOME

Local councillor Phyll Bugler warmly welcomed news of the project commencement, something she said people in Ballina and Killaloe have been waiting for “for a very long time”. She said the need for a new crossing is particularly apparent at this time of year with regular traffic jams in the twin towns.

Cllr Bugler has been campaigning for a new bridge and comprehensive improvement of the Ballina-Birdhill road since 2004. She anticipated that the project would bring short-term difficulty with traffic diversions, closure of the R494 and use of the R496 Portroe road. Cllr Bugler said she would be meeting with the project team to ascertain precise details with regard to the phases and timescales of the project.

Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill has also welcomed news that the long-awaited works are commencing. “I’m pleased with the very positive news that works are commencing at long last on the new Shannon crossing in Ballina/Killaloe,” Deputy Cahill stated.

“There had been some worry locally in recent times that this major infrastructure project had been delayed and I am pleased to say that following significant efforts, progress has now been made. Earlier this year, Minister Michael McGrath announced that the State would ensure that key infrastructure projects would not be delayed as a result of the increasing cost of construction, by covering much of the inflationary costs.

“In my view, it is vital that the Government stepped in to avoid obstructive delays in a number of such projects,” Deputy Cahill said.

“I am glad to learn that progress has finally been made in relation to the new Shannon crossing and I would like to thank Minister McGrath personally for his work with me in relation to this. Ballina and Killaloe are currently choked with traffic, and this new Shannon crossing, once completed, will be transformative for tourism, industry, business, transport and daily life in this area.”