Work on repairing Achill bridge starts

Anton McNulty

Traffic diversions around the Currane peninsula are unlikely to be put in place as work commences on repairing a bridge on the main road into Achill.
The bridge, located on the R319 between Mulranny and Tonragee, has been limited to one lane of traffic since April, when an inspection discovered structural damage.
Work to repair the damage commenced yesterday (Monday) but there had been concern locally that the bridge will be closed while part of the work takes place, and traffic will be diverted at Mulranny and around the Currane peninsula.
However, local councillor Paul McNamara told The Mayo News that he has been informed that the work will not necessitate the closure of the bridge.
“The contractor went on site today (Monday) and it is expected that the bridge will be fully open in November. There has been a lot of talk that the road will be closed and traffic diverted around Currane but we [councillors] have been told that this is not going to happen. Unless there are unforeseen circumstances, there is no plan to divert the traffic around Currane, but there will be traffic lights and people are to expect delays while the work takes place,” he said.
Extra 10kms
If diversions were put in place around the Currane peninsula, it would add an extra 10km on to people’s journeys. Cllr McNamara also questioned if the existing Currane road would be able to cater for the volume of traffic and heavy goods vehicles which would have to travel along it.
The work on the bridge is expected to be completed in November and while welcoming the start of the work, Cllr McNamara also questioned why it has taken so long to start.
“The bridge has been partially closed for the last six months and I have raised this issue at numerous meetings of Mayo County Council. It has been like this for the busy summer months when there has been high volumes of traffic and thankfully there was no serious accident.
“It is my belief that if the bridge was on the N59, the job would have been done and dusted by now. But because it was on a road into Achill, there was no urgency with it and has been allowed to drag on for six months,” he concluded.