Cattle underpass on main Limerick-Cork road was at risk of collapse
The structure, located 5kms north of Croom, was identified as in need of remediation after routine inspections
ANYBODY travelling on the N20 Limerick to Cork, around 5kms north of Croom, in recent weeks will have noticed the major roadworks.
They took place from Monday, June 22 to Friday, July 10, to replace a cattle underpass in the townland of Ballyfookoon. As a result, a restricted two lane traffic management operation was in place with a stop / go operation over the last weekend.
Limerick City and County Council advised motorists in advance of expected delays, saying any inconvenience caused was regretted. However, the improvement works were vital.
“As part of routine inspections of structures along national roads, this structure was identified as in need of remediation,” said a council spokesperson following a media query from Farm Limerick.
“If the structure was not replaced, in time it would have deteriorated further and ultimately it may have collapsed under part of the length.
“As this is a farm underpass under the main Limerick to Cork road, it was decided that the most prudent course of action was to replace the old structure with a new one to current standards,” they added.
The council spokesperson explained that the existing (old) steel underpass was removed and replaced with a new precast concrete underpass.
“The works were carried out in phases under traffic management, with no road closure required,” they said.
The old steel underpass was installed by Limerick County Council in approximately 1979 as part of a road improvement scheme, with funding from the then Department of Transport.
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The replacement underpass is funded by Transport infrastructure Ireland. The cost of the works was not revealed.
Farm Leader asked if there could be other issues down the line with other cattle underpasses in County Limerick?
“All structures, including underpasses, are routinely inspected for signs of ‘wear and tear’.
"Repairs are regularly undertaken on all forms of road structures, subject to availability of funding,” said the council spokesperson.