THE NATIONAL Roads Authority is to spend €200,000 to "underpin" the landmark 19th century bridge over the river Laune in Killorglin, on the main Ring of Kerry, the county council has confirmed.
However, the council is also to apply for funding for a second bridge to accommodate modern traffic.
The 19th century bridge on the N70 is the main gateway to the Iveragh peninsula and is used by thousands of tourist buses, heavy lorries and cars, each summer.
But it has been showing signs of "distress" because of the large volumes of heavy traffic in recent years, according to a statement replying to a motion by a local councillor.
A number of other bridges in the area of similar age are also showing signs of distress and many of the bridges of Kerry, of which there are 3,000 are now in need of urgent attention, county manager Tom Curran said.
Two years ago the nearby Gaddagh bridge collapsed forcing locals in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks foothills to take a long detour.
Cllr Johnny O'Connor (FG) said many thousands of people would be inconvenienced if the Killorglin bridge too had to close. It had been built "for the horse and cart era" and a second bridge was clearly needed, he said.
The council is to apply for a feasibility study and funding from the NRA for the second bridge over the Laune at Killorglin.