asked the Minister for Local Government if a delay has occurred in providing that the bridge at Ringsend, Dublin be made available to motor traffic on the original date designated; if so, what is the cause of such delay; and what is the new proposed likely date on which the bridge will be opened to such traffic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ringsend (Dublin) Bridge.
70.
It was originally expected by Dublin Corporation that the bridge would be completed in August of this year. I understand that February 1st next is now expected to be the opening date and that the delay is due mainly to foundation difficulties encountered in the course of the bridge contract and to bonding difficulties which arose in connection with the maintenance clause in the contract for the reconstruction of the approach roads and which held up the signing of this contract and the commencement of work on the approach roads. This work is now in progress and is expected to be sufficiently advanced by 1st February to enable the new bridge to be opened to traffic.