Bridge on 'worst stretch of road between Ballyjamesduff and Moscow' set for upgrade

Thomas Lyons

Progress on work on Dunancory Bridge in Virginia took another step forward as members of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District were told the local authority have approved a Part VIII Planning for the project.

Earlier this month at a Municipal District meeting members heard a shortlist of contractors was compiled. At that meeting Cllr TP O'Reilly had sought an update on the status of the project.

At Monday's meeting members heard that the project has now been approved subject to three conditions. Executive engineer at the Road Design Office, Orla Malone, told members that providing the project complied with environmental considerations and traffic calming measures it was in accordance with proper planning.

Six specialist contractors have been shortlisted and they will be invited to submit tender price in the coming weeks.

Year dot

Approval of the work on the bridge, located on the R194 Ballyjamesduff road out of Virginia, was unanimously welcomed by the elected members. Cllr Shane P O'Reilly said he took up a position on the council 16 years ago and his second motion was about improvement works on the bridge. Cllr O'Reilly said it was a “bone of contention since the year dot”. He quoted former Cllr Paddy O'Reilly's quip on the road saying “it is the worst stretch of road between Ballyjamesduff and Moscow”.

Cllr O'Reilly said he hoped that traffic calming would not be in the form of speed ramps which blighted the area in the past and said he hoped the road would remain open while works were taking place.

Ms Malone confirmed the road would remain open while works were in train.

Cllrs Winston Bennett, TP O'Reilly, Trevor Smith and Cathaoirleach Craig Lovett also contributed to the discussion, welcoming the announcement. A motion approving of the part VIII planning was proposed by TP O'Reilly and seconded by Cllr Shane P O'Reilly.