Busy Kerry bridge with missing wall expected to undergo rehabiliation works next year

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Works on a crumbling bridge located along a key tourist route in Kerry are expected to commence in 2027.

Boston Bridge, along the Sneem high road, is expected to undergo rehabilitation works along with the other bridges in the area.

The matter was raised at a recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting by Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae who asked Kerry County Council (KCC) to repair two bridges along the road connecting Sneem with Moll’s Gap, and the one at Incheese, Kilgarvan.

An Bord Pleanála (now An Coimisiún Pleanála) previously refused planning permission for the Boston Bridge because of risks to freshwater pearl mussels and bats.

Cllr Healy-Rae said the bridge, which crosses the River Blackwater on the R568 and is also known as the Gearha Bridge, was in ‘poor shape’, highlighting that around 82 tourist buses used to drive the road, as well as school buses.

“Fish take priority over the people…I appreciate that,” he said.

“It’s not a day’s work but it’s not a year’s work either.”

KCC said an application was being prepared for repair works on the Boston Bridge, with the intention to submit it to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

If the application is approved, they said works would be completed in 2027.

The council said the Letter West Bridge is awaiting the contractor to mobilise on site which is scheduled to occur in the next four to six weeks.

The repair of the parapet walls at Incheese Bridge will be considered for inclusion in the 2027 bridge maintenance programme, KCC said.