Council announce Dunancory Bridge closure

The Council, earlier this year, successfully tendered for the works, with design of the project carried out by consultants, Cork-based Malachy Walsh & Partners.

Cavan County Council has announced that it is to close Dunancory Bridge near Virginia for a period of four weeks.

The decision has been taken to assist in facilitating the R194 at Dunancory Bridge.

Works had commenced, but owing to the recent “inclement weather and poor ground conditions”, the Council felt that it is necessary to close the road in order to progress the works “safely and to ensure a timely delivery” of the project.

The road closure will be in place from Monday, August 31 to Saturday, September 26.

Diversions will be (Westbound) via the N3 at Virginia town, via the R196 at New Inn, and via the R196 to the junction with the R194 in Ballyjamesduff town, with the same route applying in reverse for eastbound traffic.

“Cavan County Council apologises for any inconvenience that this may cause and wishes to thank people for their patience in the delivery of this essential project. Any queries in relation to this can be emailed to roads@cavancoco.ie.”

The Council, earlier this year, successfully tendered for the works, with design of the project carried out by consultants, Cork-based Malachy Walsh & Partners.

The works, once complete, will provide for a bridge with a cross-section almost double that which currently exists.

It will entail a cross-section of 11 metres, or two carriageways spanning 3.5 metres each, along with with two by two metre footpaths either side.

A sum of €75,000 was allocated to the project as part of almost €13 million allocated to the county for roadworks in 2019.

Dunancory was one of 18 other expanses where works will be carried, at a cost of more than €500,000.

Issues though at Dunancory have existed much longer than many other sites in the county, where concerns over road safety were raised for motorists travelling the Virginia, Ballyjamesduff to Finea roads.