Repaired bridge on N7 reopens to traffic

The Rathcoole bridge over the N7 in south Co Dublin has been repaired ahead of schedule and traffic flows in both directions are likely to return to normal from this morning.

The bridge was closed in emergency conditions last month after road engineers from South Dublin County Council discovered alternated girders supporting the bridge had been damaged by a vehicle passing underneath.

The cost of the damage was estimated at €1 million and traffic tailbacks as far south as the Naas junction were experienced when the bridge was closed for repair work.

South Dublin County Council has offered a €10,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of anybody in connection with the incident.

However, the council said it would be renewing its appeal and extending the period in which it has appealed for information.

The council's senior executive officer with the roads department, Mr Eamon Cunningham, told The Irish Times it was now thought the damage could have occurred as early as July last, and not November 12th as originally believed.

"We have a number of good leads but these relate to a period pre-September 12th, so we think the damage may have been carried out earlier than originally thought," he said.

It is believed a tall "rig" or a mobile crane which had not been fully retracted caused the damage to the bridge.

The pattern of the damage, with the first, third and fifth girder being hit, indicated a vehicle travelling at some speed, hitting a girder and retracting on the vehicle's suspension before bouncing up again to hit, after the vehicle passed the next girder.