The work at Johnston Bridge caused headaches for locals RMG97
IN AN apparent U-turn, it seems the resumption of work on the Johnston Bridge – which caused traffic mayhem last year – will now be confined to a four-week period in the summer.
And unlike last year, when the Department of Regional Development came under fire for how the work was carried out at the Enniskillen bottleneck, work is expected to continue in the evenings, at weekends and during the Twelfth fortnight.
After last year’s repair work caused misery for motorists in Enniskillen it seems DRD has learnt its lesson and will condense traffic disruption into a four week window starting on Monday, July 18.
This week Minister for Regional Development Michelle McIlveen confirmed work will start at Johnston Bridge South after a question was tabled by local MLA Phil Flanagan.
“A lane closure will be required for a three to four week period to facilitate the work to the bridge deck and this will be controlled through use of temporary traffic signals.
Work will continue on the soffit (underside) of the bridge beyond the initial four-week period without a lane closure but this element of the works will cause only minimal traffic disruption.”
The minister also revealed that the option was being explored to introduce late night hours and weekend work to minimise disruption.
“The tender for these works will be advertised shortly.
Limits are being imposed on the time to complete the works within the carriageway in order to reduce the impact on the surrounding road network and therefore it is likely that the successful contractor will consider extended working hours and weekend working.
“This will be discussed with the successful contractor after the contract is awarded. In addition to specifying a limited duration for the works, the timings of the traffic signals at Gaol Square will also be adjusted to account for the change in movement patterns as a result of southbound traffic being diverted away from Johnston Bridge.”
Enniskillen DUP councillor Keith Elliott was pleased that the department have seemingly learnt their lessons from last year.
“Obviously with the schools being off it’s a better time. They’ve obviously taken the concerns after last year’s work on board, because we asked them should further works take place that they delay them to when the schools were finished. We all know this work has to take place so I suppose really the sooner they get it done the better.”
However, chairman of Enniskillen Business Partnership Simon Kennedy explained that the group had asked in the autumn that work be carried out this month in February instead of during a busy period for trade and that two way traffic be in operation for the duration of the work.
“It is the height of the tourist season, you have the traditional Twelfth fortnight holiday so the town will hopefully be buzzing if there’s a bit of weather, but then again when is the right time?”
He continued:
“There was a lot of discussion about February, which would have been a better time as far as business goes, but listen it is going to have a knock-on effect on the town, it is going to affect business, especially business on the Cornagrade Road, the last time it was hit extremely hard.”
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