Work on the N85 Western relief road between Skehanagh Roundabout and Clareabbey Roundabout is to begin later this month, Clare County Council has announced.

The scheme will to allow Gama Strabag Construction Ltd to carry out essential repair works to the western abutment of the River Fergus Bridge, scheduled to be completed by March next year.

Gama Strabag Construction Ltd (GSCL) opened the N85 section of road from Skehanagh roundabout to the Clareabbey roundabout in December 2007.

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There are two bridges on this section of road, one over the Limerick to Ennis rail line and the other over the river Fergus.

Ground conditions in the vicinity of the river Fergus bridge encountered very large deposits of relatively poor quality material, particularly on the west side of the river.

The contractor and appointed designer Mott Macdonald Pettit Ltd proposed a foundation solution for the western support abutment which involved concrete piles up to 25 metres deep.

It is envisaged some movement of the abutment would take place after construction was completed, which was catered for in the design and the construction.

The works, which will include remedial measures to the top of the abutment, will commence on 25 November.

Traffic management systems will be introduced, and traffic flow through the area will be reduced to one lane.

(PR/JM)