Beverley Flynn
Ceist:129 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if a railway bridge will be widened at a location (details supplied) in County Mayo. [4561/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Network.
Iarnród Éireann selects the infrastructure safety projects to be included in its annual safety investment programme on the basis of its assessment of safety priorities. I believe the Deputy is referring to a bridge over the railway at Manulla, known as overbridge No. 771 at 145 miles, 1496 yards, Mayo line.
Iarnród Éireann has advised me that this masonry arch bridge is in good condition. It has a clear dimension between its parapets of 18'0, 5400 mm. Iarnród Éireann advise that it does not intend to renew or widen this bridge in conjunction with the track upgrading work being carried out under the Railway Safety Programme.
The road surface on the bridge is maintained by Mayo County Council. Iarnród Éireann has received no request from the council seeking improvement works to the bridge. However, Iarnród Éireann advises me that it will be pleased to co-operate with the council if such work is required.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:130 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ensure the necessary funding is provided to the relevant body so that the bridge on the East Wall Road, Dublin 3 will be repaired. [4624/02]
Approximately €15 million in funding has been provided by this Government under the Railway Safety Programme 1999-2003, for replacement of the railway bridge on East Wall Road in 2002. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that it expects this job to be completed by year end. This work was necessitated by repeated instances of bridge bashing by commercial vehicles which have damaged this bridge beyond repair.