Benburb’s collapsed Maydown Bridge road is just days away from re-opening – almost eight months after it was closed to the public.
The bridge is a vital link between Counties Armagh and Tyrone.
But the structure fell victim to Storm Amy at the start of last October.
A large part of the carriageway at Maydown Bridge gave way and the road itself was closed in both directions in the interests of health and safety.
The long-term closure has hit hard for local businesses who have been frantically appealing for it to be restored and re-opened as a matter of urgency.
Work began and there were post-Christmas suggestions of a potential re-opening around mid-March.
That came from Roads Minister Liz Kimmins, who confirmed then the completion of diversion works and a start to the “reconstruction of the wall and associated carriageway repairs”.
The missed mid-March timeframe, however, only served to add to local frustrations.
Among those pressing for an accelerated re-opening was Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Colm Gildernew.
The Sinn Fein MLA described it as a “vital link in our community” and spoke of the “severe disruption” being caused.
Fast forward and Mr Gildernew is now pleased to see major progress.
For it is expected that the months of upheaval are now coming to an end.
“I’m delighted to hear that the Maydown Bridge is reopening to traffic from 31 May,” said Mr Gildernew.
“This has been a huge disruption for the community following the collapse of the bridge as a result of storm damage.
“I would urge everyone to support our local businesses who have suffered a significant loss of trade during the repair works period.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure confirmed the imminent re-opening.
He told Armagh I : “The expected completion of remedial works and reopening of the Maydown Bridge is the end of May.
“We fully appreciate the impact of this closure and apologise to the local community, businesses in the area, and all road users for the inconvenience caused.”
