Update on Ballina bridge that was closed after Storm Éowyn
Storm Damage in Ballina: Panel blown off Salmon Weir Bridge Pylon and landed on the weirs. .Picture: John O'Grady.
The Salmon Weir Bridge in Ballina will remain closed while a safety consultation is ongoing,
The iconic footbridge over the River Moy was one of the many infrastructural victims of the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn on January 24th last, losing cladding from a central pole as a result of the hurricane-force winds.
Head of the Ballina Municipal District Declan Turnbull said the council had to close the pedestrian bridge immediately for safety reasons but has acted quickly to mitigate the situation.
“We needed to get the bridge examined to see if there was a risk of further cladding coming off or if there were remedial works to be carried out,” he said.
“Safety consultants came in Friday before last (February 7) and took photos and captured drone footage and will come back with results soon.
"We need to be sure about what needs to be done for public safety reasons.”
Mr Turnbull said he could not put an exact timeframe on when the bridge will reopen to the public but the council is hoping to have a resolution to the situation as soon as possible.
The Salmon Weir Bridge first opened in July 2009 and cost around €1.4m to construct.
