Garrycastle Bridge realignment to start in three months

The long awaited realignment of Garrycastle Bridge is to get underway in three months time after the council received formal approval for the works yesterday (Tuesday). Director of Services Hugh O'Reilly informed Westmeath county councillors at the Athlone Area Committee meeting yesterday evening that the council had received formal approval for the project that day. He said the work was due to start in three months and would take 12 months to complete. The construction will be funded over a number of years. Cllr Mark Cooney welcomed the news and said he knew Deputy Nicky McFadden had been putting pressure on the Minister. Cllr Frankie Keena also welcomed the formal approval of the project and thanked the council executive and the council staff who have pushed the project along. He asked how the project would be phased. Mr O'Reilly said the detailed discussion will begin now, which will include a traffic management plan, and when the council has ironed out the details with the contractor the executive will come back to the councillors with the information. Cllr Tom Allen said the residents in the area shouldn't be forgotten and thanked them for their input in facilitating the project.