New crossing at Saunder's Bridge now in place

There was a major step forward on the new pedestrian and cycle crossing at Saunder’s Bridge, Mullingar, when the main span was lowered into place at the weekend.

Some €1.7m had been allocated for the work, funding that is part of a €3.5m allocation for Westmeath from the National Transport Authority (NTA) for 20 local Active Travel projects.

The new crossing is a critical piece of infrastructure, all local politicians agree, in statements they have issued over the years on the matter.

Westmeath County Council appointed Murphy International Ltd as the main contractors for the construction of the new pedestrian and cycle crossing at Saunders Bridge in mid-June, and work started in July. The new crossing is adjacent to the existing Saunders Road Bridge on the Ardmore Road, Mullingar.

Funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel Investment Programme, the project is a part of the existing Active Travel infrastructure on the Ardmore Road as well as the planned infrastructure for the Dublin Road and Millmount Road.