Drivers face chaos as wall collapse closes road

MOTORISTS could be facing weeks of traffic chaos after the partial collapse of one of the country’s busiest roads.

Engineers from Cork City Council will this morning begin assessing the damage to the Lower Glanmire Road after a 40-metre section collapsed into the River Lee yesterday morning.

The quay wall at Woodhill gave way at about 10.30am sending huge mounds of earth and boulders cascading into the river.

It is understood that underwater piling and sea-bed excavation works being undertaken by contractors working for Iarnród Eireann may have undermined the wall.

The collapse exposed the material that gives the road its stability. There are fears that sand particles that help stabilise the road surface could be washed away.

Iarnród Eireann’s contractors told council engineers they could have the damage repaired within 24 hours. But a council spokesman dismissed the suggestion. He said following a cursory inspection of the site by city engineers, they think it could take some time, perhaps several weeks, to reinstate the road to a safe condition.

“There was substantial subsidence,” the spokesman said.

“The particles that give the road its stability could be washed out. That material will have to be replaced, built up and consolidated and protected from the water.”

He said city officials will be liaising with the contractors as the repairs progress.

The contractors are likely to be liable for the cost of the works, which have yet to be established.

The Lower Glanmire Road is one of the country’s busiest two-lane roads, catering for more than 20,000 vehicles per day.

It is the main route out of the city from Kent railway station, and the main link for northbound city traffic coming from the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

Following an inspection at lunchtime yesterday by senior traffic engineer Pat Casey, the entire road was closed between Kent Station and the Silver Springs Hotel.

Diversions were put in place resulting in major knock-on congestion on the Tivoli flyover, the North Ring Road, and around the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

Severe delays of up to an hour were reported at rush hour last night. Major delays are expected again this morning.

Pending the outcome of a meeting at midday, motorists have been warned of continued diversions and further delays.

Gardaí have urged motorists to give themselves at least an hour extra for peak-hour travel and to follow the diversions.