‘Historic day’ for twin towns

The seemingly interminable days of long tailbacks will “hopefully be a thing of the past” now that the new bridge between Ballina and Killaloe has opened.

Sunshine and blue skies greeted the long-awaited opening of the new Shannon crossing last Thursday. Those present for the guest list-only opening ceremony had the opportunity to admire the views from atop the structure while awaiting the arrival of Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien.

There was a real sense of achievement at the end of a campaign - which many agreed began some 40 years ago - to build a new bridge and add a bypass of Killaloe together with an upgraded Ballina-Birdhill road, a project that cost some €88 million.

While all speakers on the stage erected midway on the bridge for the opening ceremony acknowledged the efforts of the past, many were keen to look to the future. MC Alan Farrell, Director of Services with Clare Co Council, said the Brian Ború Bridge would support the vitality of Ballina-Killaoe, Tipperary-Clare and the wider region for generations to come.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Cllr Alan O’Callaghan spoke of the years of congestion on both sides of the Shannon, causing significant pollution and poor air quality from standing traffic. “The daily frustration from 7,000 vehicles a day crossing the old single-lane bridge cannot be overestimated,” he told those gathered.

“But today, all that will change. From this evening, tail backs will hopefully be a thing of the past, and journey times will be significantly reduced, enhancing connectivity and convenience for all.”

Among the features of the project that he welcomed is the cycling and pedestrian path created along its length, providing connectivity all the way out to Two-Mile-Gate, a new route for people to “walk, cycle and scoot” on.

BORÚ SYMOBOLISM

Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Cllr Declan Burgess described the bridge opening as “a historic day for the people of Ballina and Killaloe”. He added: “There can be no stronger symbol of the connection between the twin towns than Brian Ború, celebrated equally on both sides of the river.”

Cllr Burgess praised the spirit of co-operation between Tipperary and Clare county councils, and said the project underlines what could be achieved when the local authorities work together. Expecting that the new infrastructure would now enable the twin towns to reach their full potential, Cllr Burgess said there would have to be a special mention on the day for Ballina councillor Phyll Bugler and her “relentless effort” in pushing the project to its conclusion.

A road project totalling 6.2km across its three phases, the completed scheme is not just a road and bridge but “a catalyst for social and economic development”, one born of a collective “vision for a brighter future”, said Gordon Daly, Chief Executive, Clare County Council.

His Tipperary counterpart, Sinéad Carr praised main contractor Sisk for delivering the project along with RPS consulting engineers, and local authority staff, in particular among them Liam Brett and Kieran Malone on the Tipp side.

Ms Carr added: “The scheme could not have been delivered without the co-operation of the local communities in both towns and I want to thank them for their patience and understanding as they tolerated the disruption that came with the construction. I am sure that everyone can agree thatany inconvenience was well worth it now that we have the finished product in place.”

MINISTER INTERRUPTED

Crowds of onlookers had gathered outside gates on both sides of the bridge for the opening ceremony. A pro-Palestine protest group gathered on the Clare side over claims that Shannon Airport was being used as a stopover for US military aid to Israel, something that would require an exemption from the Minister for Transport. Shortly after Minister O’Brien began his address, a woman in the seated attendance stood up and shouted at the guest speaker, telling him he should be ashamed over what is happening in Gaza. She was escorted away by two gardaí, as she shouted “free Palestine”.

Minister O’Brien said he and all present “care deeply” about the situation in Gaza and the Irish government is working with colleagues across the world in trying to bring that situation to an end. But he said those gathered on the new Ballina-Killaloe bridge on Thursday were there “about this community”, for which he was loudly applaused.

Minister O’Brien described the completed Shannon crossing - significantly, the first new vehicular bridge across the river since the opening of Shannon Way Bridge in Athlone in 1991 - as a “transformative road project”.

“It will be transformational for residents and indeed visitors alike, who have a real opportunity to visit this wonderful part of our country and come down Lough Derg, down the Shannon here to visit the wonderful towns and villages that we have in this area,” Minister O’Brien commented.

He expressed his delight that the project was delivered “almost a month ahead of schedule”. Praising all parties involved in the successful project, Minister O’Brien said particular credit is due to local TD Alan Kelly, who “worked very hard” on making this long-sought project become a reality.

The ceremony concluded with a blessing of the new bridge performed by Rev Richard Marsh, Dean of Killaloe & Clonfert; Fr James Grace, Co-PP, Killaoe, and Fr Tom Lanigan-Ryan, PP, Ballina-Boher, after which the Brian Ború Bridge was opened to vehicular traffic for that long-awaited first time.