Future of Fairview Bridge uncertain. (19th July 2010)

Dublin North Central TD, Minister for Lifelong Learning Seán Haughey, has highlighted a report from Dublin City Council on the condition of the overhead footbridge at Fairview which suggests the option of replacing it with a signalised pedestrian crossing.

Recent inspections by Council officials indicated a number of issues of concern which the Fairview footbridge presented. Access for mobility-impaired and disabled users is not possible. There is also no parapet and canopy to prevent objects falling or being thrown from the bridge. The bridge supports are considered to be close to road traffic and have no heavy protective barriers. Finally the level of corrosion protection, painting and maintenance works on the bridge are in need of improvement.

“The report has found that in order to improve the general condition and layout of the bridge, considerable works are required. If all of the deficiencies identified in the report were to be addressed, the present bridge would need to be removed and replaced with a new bridge at a total cost of €2M, but which would include pedestrian access ramps. If a decision was made to simply proceed with the painting of the existing bridge and addressing of the corrosion protection, the likely cost would be €250,000.”

“There are not sufficient funds in the Roads Maintenance Budget to facilitate either of these options and so Dublin City Council is now considering the possibility of removing the existing footbridge and replacing it with an at-grade signalised pedestrian crossing”.

“I will continue to monitor this situation on behalf of my constituents”.