Work on Navan pedestrian bridge starts on Monday
As work starts on the new cantilever bridge in Navan next week, traffic restrictions will be in place amid warnings of major traffic delays.
Work on the pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Boyne at the junction of the old N3 and the Kentstown road will take place over the summer months and will involve some road closures.
"The traffic is going to be bananas, it is going to cause a lot of congestion and delay, but I'd ask people to be patient, it is part of the improvement of the town," said Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons.
A meeting will take place next week between retailers and council officials to discuss the works. "Money has been allocated for a retail strategy to help minimize the effects of the disruption," said Cllr Francis Deane.
From this week, until the 22nd of June, westbound traffic coming from the the Kentstown Road (R153) will be diverted onto the Metges Road through Johnstown. Eastbound traffic travelling towards Kentstown will be able to continue to do so until the end of the state examination (22nd of June).A full closure in both directions across the bridge is then scheduled to run during the school holidays between Saturday the 23rd of June and the 31st of August. Pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge during this time.After the 31st of August, localised traffic management will be in place on the Kentstown Road, with some short term closures to allow specific works to be completed. It is anticipated that the bridge and related works will be completed in December. As part of the project, a new four metre wide cycle/pedestrian steel bridge will be cantilevered from the existing masonry stone arch bridge, resulting in the appearance of a boardwalk spanning over the River Boyne. A new shared cyclist/pedestrian surface will be provided on the Kentstown Road to link the new bridge to the junction of Convent Lane, with upgraded public lighting. New footpaths and a raised table pedestrian crossing at the junction of the Convent Lane and Kentstown Road are also to be constructed. The junction of the R147/R153/Timmons Hill will include pedestrian crossings on each arm to facilitate safe crossings at this busy intersection.