Restoration Of Portumna Bridge Nearing Completion

Bridge being replaced in 2008.

Restoration work currently being undertaken on Portumna Bridge is nearing completion. A works programme costing in the region of €2 million has been underway, on this five-span road bridge over the Shannon, since October of last year.

North Tipperary Co Council have now been informed that this prolonged works on the Bridge, originally designed by C. E. Stanier of London as the largest early-twentieth century swivel bridge in Europe, should be completed by mid July of this year.

The Shannon River at this point consists of two channels divided by ‘Hayes Island,’ the one on the North Tipperary side being about 79 m (260 ft) wide, and that on the Galway side being about 73 m (240 ft) wide.

Each channel is spanned by three pairs of mild-steel plate girders, either 24 m (80 ft) or 27 m (90 ft) in length, resting on 3 m (9 ft) diameter concrete-filled cast-iron cylinders.

This present restoration works follow on from the 2008 replacement of the vehicular crossing of the bridge, which has served as a key crossing point on the Shannon for North Tipperary, South Offaly and East Galway since it was first construction in 1911. This latter replacement work was completed during a 9 day road closure of the N65 at Portumna, with the road being re-opened ahead of schedule.

The present work is being overseen by the National Roads Authority, with the contract being carried out by specialists L&M Keating engineers. The work is being carried out under difficult working conditions, with traffic being managed by the installation of a traffic light system, which has resulted in traffic tailbacks on both sides of the bridge, causing understandable, yet necessary, annoyance to both workers, travellers and local business in the area.

So if you are travelling in that direction over the next month, do plan your journey to allow for some delays.

Tipperary Trucker Injured In Wales

Accident site in Wales

Calls for clearer warning signs come, following an accident involving a Tipperary truck driver who smashed into a railway bridge yesterday in Wales.

The lorry owned by Carey Glass International, latter based in Nenagh County Tipperary and Salford, Manchester, crashed just off Ffordd Penamser, one mile from Porthmadog at approximately 8.20am.

The driver was injured when the lorry got wedged under a 13ft 3ins high railway bridge. Local Firefighters removed the top canopy from the vehicle to release the lorry and clear the roadway.

Network Rail inspectors examined the bridge at 9.00am and reported same to be safe, leaving train services on the Cambrian Coast line unaffected by the incident.

Gwynedd residents were not surprised about this accident and have been expressing concerns about this low bridge now for a number of years.

Thurles Road Safety Week -183 White Crosses

Lives lost through road accidents this year.

Congratulations must go to Thurles Gardaí for highlighting Road Safety Week in Thurles, by the erection of 183 white crosses at Turtulla near Thurles Golf Club.

Each cross represents a life lost on the roads of Ireland and stands as a visual reminder of how we all need to take greater care while driving.

Gardaí locally, also distributed 2000 free visibility safety vests and armbands, to members of the public in Thurles town over the course of the week.

The L.A.D.S. (Let’s All Drive Slower) initiative program has also been launched for local drivers who received free car stickers, as part of their commitment to drive slower on our roads.

Sobering Thought

For those of you who continue to drive drunken, unfocused, carelessly, showing no respect for the personal or public safety of others, is there any chance you might carry an Organ Donor Card. You can apply for same here or you can tick and sign the back of your current driving licences.

Your undamaged spare parts can then be removed /salvaged and come in handy in assisting others, who so greatly value that wonderful gift called ‘life‘.

Remember: Although you placed little value on your own life, after death this action will be of some small consolation to your distraught parents, grieving siblings and friends, for whom your total stupidity will also have life changing consequences.

Just a thought and well done Thurles Gardaí on your initiative.

Woman Died Following Road Crash In Co Tipperary

A Garda Forensic Collision Team are investigating a two vehicle collision at Knocklofty, on the Clonmel to Ardfinnan Road, in Co Tipperary at around 12.30 p.m. today.

The unnamed victim in her late 40′s was pronounced dead at the scene and her body has since been removed to South Tipperary General Hospital. The woman’s car collided with a tractor however the driver of the tractor remained unhurt.

Earlier today, two articulated lorries crashed in foggy conditions just after 8.00 am between junctions 16 and 17 on the M7 at Portlaoise. At least seven other cars crashed as a result. It is understood that the driver of one of the trucks was taken to hospital, but his injuries are not regarded as life threatening. All diversions put in place have been now lifted.

30% Drop In Funding For North Tipperary National Roads

Severe weather affects North Tipperary road surfaces

In respect of funding for the North Tipperary National Roads Programme the Government has allocated €2,952,197 for the constituency in 2011 in comparison to €4,216,200 last year. This represents a 30% drop in funding over last years allocation.

Local Fine Gael Deputy Noel Coonan has expressed deep disappointment with North Tipperary’s allocation of funding under the National Roads Programme 2011 which is €1.2million less than last year’s amount and one of the lowest allocations given to any local authority in the country.

“We have many major national roads in the North Tipperary/South Offaly constituency including the N62 and N52 for example and these routes carry very heavy volumes of traffic on a daily basis. These same roads require regular maintenance and improvements, but I fear our roadways will be neglected again this year due to a severe drop in Government funding.This amount is simply insufficient and will create enormous pressure for North Tipperary County Council, who will be striving to maintain the same high level of maintenance and restoration on a much tighter budget. The Council is already operating on a shoe string budget as it deals with ravaged roads devastated by severe weather conditions throughout this winter.Out of all the 33 local authorities nationally, North Tipperary County Council received the fourth lowest level of funding. The only other authorities nationally to fare worse were Waterford City Council, Carlow County Council and Dublin City Council. Local Deputies have been announcing and welcoming this funding, saying numerous sections of roadways and schemes will benefit. While it is good news that the Congar/Ballyluskey realignment project for example will receive funding; the sharp drop in the level of funding cannot be ignored and is not to be welcomed. ” stated Deputy Coonan.

The Fine Gael Deputy said projects to benefit under the funding include safety improvements at Church Street, Templemore and Sheehane in Roscrea. Works will also take place on the Thurles Bypass scheme. Pavement and minor works will occur in Borrisokane, Kilkillhara, Ardcroney and Two-Mile-Borris. The Congar / Ballyluskey realignment project will also be advanced.

Deputy Coonan said that he will continue to push for the progression of these projects for the betterment of the constituency.