Road scheme still on target as two bridges demolished

ENGINEERS are on target to re-open Cork’s busiest road tomorrow after major demolition works over the weekend.

A section of the N25 South Link Road between the Sarsfield and Bandon Road roundabouts has been closed, with major diversions in place, since midnight on Friday, to allow for the demolition of the landmark pedestrian bridges built over each roundabout.

The work is one of the biggest elements of the 60 million road scheme to build flyovers over both roundabouts.

Demolition crews operating specialist heavy machinery and rock-breakers moved onsite on Friday afternoon and have been working around the clock to knock down the bridges.

The Bandon Road roundabout bridge was reduced to rubble by Saturday evening.

Crews were still working on the longer bridge over the Sarsfield Road roundabout last night.

However, a spokesperson for Cork County Council said they are on target to re-open the closed section of road as planned before tomorrow morning’s rush hour.

“The road will reopen sooner if possible,” he said.

The concrete from both bridges will be recycled for use in the overall scheme.

The N25 scheme remains on target for completion by July 2013.

Meanwhile, Iarnród Éireann closed a large section of the Dublin-Cork line over the weekend to facilitate the erection of a €1m rail bridge near Buttevant.

Two of the largest cranes in the country were used to complete the project over the River Awbeg. Rail passengers travelling on the Dublin-Cork service were bussed from Thurles onwards, while passengers on the Dublin-Tralee service were bussed from Thurles to Mallow.