Roadworks To Take Place On N85 Western Relief Road

The Council confirmed that the works are necessary to allow Gama Strabag Construction Ltd to carry out essential repair works to the western abutment of the River Fergus Bridge. The roadworks are scheduled to be completed by 29 March 2009.

Gama Strabag Construction Ltd (GSCL) opened the N85 section of road from Skehanagh roundabout to the Clareabbey roundabout on Dec 20th 2007. Traffic has been flowing on this section since that date. There are two bridges on this section of road, one over the Limerick to Ennis rail line and the other over the river Fergus.

The ground conditions in the vicinity of the river Fergus bridge encountered very large deposits of relatively poor quality material, particularly on the west side of the river. The Contractor and his designer Mott Macdonald Pettit Ltd proposed a foundation solution for the western support abutment which involved concrete piles up to 25m deep.

As part of their design the Contractor and his designer envisaged that some movement of the abutment would take place after construction was completed and this was catered for in the Design and the Construction. Since opening the movement which has taken place has been greater than that envisaged by the Contractor and his designer.

GSCL has informed Clare County Council that it needs to carry out essential repairs to the western abutment to cater for this movement. These works are required to ensure the long term durability of the bridge and to ease maintenance requirements in the medium to long term for the structure.

The works, which will include remedial measures to the top of the abutment, will commence on November 25th 2008. This will necessitate the introduction of traffic management with a reduction in traffic flow through the work area to one lane in either direction and a 50Km temporary road works speed limit. Works are scheduled to last until March 29th 2009.

Clare County Council would like to warn all motorists to exercise caution at the road works and through the speed restricted area for the duration while the Traffic management is in operation. Clare County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by the essential repair works.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Paul Moroney, Project Resident Engineer - T (065) 6828322 or M (087) 6868421.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900