The first sod had been officially cut at the €12m Clonmore Road bridge scheme in Co Westmeath.

Designed to link Lynn Roundabout on the Tullamore Road to Clonmore Business Park, the bridge represents the final link necessary to complete the Mullingar Orbital Road, which was commenced by Westmeath County Council over twelve years ago.

The bridge crosses over the flood plain of the River Brosna and Lacy’s Canal. The ground conditions consist of 10 metres of peat above 20 metres of very soft silt.

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Where it crosses the Lacy’s Canal, allowance will be made for navigation, by having a 3.1m clearance between bridge and water.

The final design and construction phase of the project is being completed by Messrs Jon's Civil Engineering Company Limited, in Duleek, Co Meath.

It is anticipated that construction works will be completed by September 2010.

The cost of the bridge is estimated at €12m, part funded by the Strategic Non National Roads Grant from the Department of Transport and by Westmeath County Council.

A council spokesman said: "The scheme will benefit Mullingar town and surrounding area by increasing the level of access to the town and helping alleviate congestion, therefore improving the industrial and commercial potential of the region."

(PR/GK)