Leitrim's Aghoo Bridge works run €456k and nine weeks over—with final cost still unclear

The underpass construction at Aghoo Bridge on the R204 in Ballinamore has run nine weeks over schedule, sparking frustration from locals and elected representatives, with many questioning why it took so long—and at a cost of nearly half a million euro.

Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Barry has criticised the pace of the works, saying the disruption dragged on well beyond what was expected.

“For a while there, the road was totally closed—no traffic in or out,” he said. “Then it was just one lane of traffic for weeks.”

The road was originally closed for the month of March to allow Waterways Ireland to carry out the works, but Barry says the disruption continued far longer than anyone anticipated.

“They’re making a big job out of it. Farmers can put in underpasses on roads and it doesn’t take that long.”

In a statement, Waterways Ireland confirmed that the delays were due to “unforeseen ground conditions.”

The project is being delivered by Brian Conneely & Co Ltd on behalf of Waterways Ireland, which said that poor ground conditions and an unplanned utility complication slowed down progress.

In a detailed statement, Waterways Ireland said:

“The soft ground near the underpass site required a temporary support system to be installed and later removed—adding time to the build. In addition, a utility service had to be realigned, which required extra design work, formal approvals, and legal consent before construction could proceed.”

The contract is valued at €456,128.80, but final costs have not yet been confirmed as the project remains under construction.

The underpass forms part of the Shannon-Erne Blueway, a recreational trail used by an estimated 37,000 people annually. Waterways Ireland says it now expects the project to be completed by the end of June.

In a follow-up statement this week, Waterways Ireland admitted:

“The construction phase of the project has taken approximately 9 weeks longer than anticipated due to unforeseen infrastructural challenges which had to be dealt with. Waterways Ireland anticipates completing the works by the end of June.”

The project, part of a wider Blueway Trail development, is being jointly funded by Waterways Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development. Final costs have not yet been disclosed.

For now, the R204 has reopened to two-way traffic, but the project remains unfinished—leaving many in the Ballinamore area asking why a relatively small safety improvement has become such a drawn-out disruption.

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