EMERGENCY REPAIRS to the Citywest bridge on the N7 this weekend will have a significant impact on bank holiday traffic.
Traffic returning to the city over the holiday period is to be diverted via alternative routes as far apart as Tullamore, Co Offaly and New Ross, Co Wexford, as the triple carriageway N7 is reduced to one lane northbound.
The bridge which carries traffic on the N82 across the N7 is to be completely closed to traffic.
Traffic southbound from Dublin on the N7 will not be affected by the bridge closure. The National Roads Authority said the repairs arise from a bridge strike.
The authority said it had been decided to carry out the repairs at the weekend as traffic volume on the N7 – the State’s second busiest road after the M50 – is likely to be lighter than on weekdays. It is hoped to have the work completed in advance of Monday evening.
South Dublin County Council in whose administrative area the bridge lies said the bridge will close at 10am tomorrow.
The council said alternative routes to the city over the weekend would be advertised at roadsides and a text helpline to advise motorists of travel times would be available.
Motorists travelling from Waterford over the weekend are being asked to use the N25 to New Ross Co Wexford, the N30 to Enniscorthy and the N11 coastal route to Dublin.
Motorists heading for Dublin from the Limerick direction are been asked to use the N52, from Nenagh to Birr and Tullamore, before joining the M6 and subsequently the M4 route to the capital.
Traffic coming from Carlow has been advised to use the N81 route via Tullow, Baltinglass and Blessington. Radio stations have also been asked to advise motorists of potential delays along the route. As much of the diversions use routes through towns and villages the council, gardaí and the roads authority have advised drivers to be aware of lower speed limits and to allow more time for journeys.
This is the second time a bridge across the N7 in south Dublin has provoked major traffic detours. Some years ago the roads authority offered a €10,000 reward for the identity of a heavy goods vehicle which damaged Rathcoole bridge. The offer was not successful.
The authority said it was difficult to quantify the cost of bridge strikes as “cosmetic damage” is repaired by local authorities, while major structural damage would be paid for by the roads authority itself, and some costs are recovered from vehicle insurers.
