Ring of Kerry bridge expected to be replaced during height of tourist season

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

The replacement of a key bridge on the Ring of Kerry is set to go ahead this summer during the height of the tourist season.

A Kerry council meeting was told works were required to be carried out outside the fish migration months, with one councillor criticising the decision for putting fish ahead of people.

The Cummergorm Bridge is 2km south of Rossbeigh on the N70 and has recently failed initial assessments for structural integrity.

A survey found the bridge’s reinforcements has corroded and the concrete had delaminated, amongst other defects, necessitating the replacement of the entire structure.

While the council said the work could be completed by the end of the year, given the tender process was completed on time, a submission from the Inland Fisheries Institute requested the construction be progressed outside fish migration months between July and September.

It seems fish are more important than people using the road,” said Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae,” you’ll have to be very smart to finish it this year.”

He added the only submissions that had been received were from government agencies, who were commenting on each other’s submissions.

The council responded the works would not pose a “big issue” on the N70 and would only result in slower traffic taking a short detour.

Bridge works will also include the installation of a new vehicle restraint system, the reconstruction of an existing retaining wall, the setback of existing stone wall, and minor ancillary and accommodation works associated with the proposal.