The Johnston Bridge roundabout has had to be removed to facilitate strengthening work on the bridge which links Queen Street and Queen Elizabeth Road with the Cornagrade Road in Enniskillen.
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure stated that as the £300,000 improvement scheme continues, it was necessary to remove the roundabout until the work is completed. However she said the roundabout will be reinstated again.
She said this was to allow large vehicles drive onto the bridge which is currently reduced to one lane for traffic going out of town.
This is the second stage of the repair work with the first part taking place last summer.
Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard stated: “The work at the south bridge will be similar to work carried out at the north bridge in 2015. The work will entail the removal of the entire bridge surfacing on the bridge down to deck level, temporary relocation of existing services to expose the concrete deck surface, application of a new waterproofing layer and relaying of kerbs and new surfacing.
“Below deck level, some reinforced concrete repairs to the underside of the structure are required. The footway on the eastern side of the bridge will be widened to facilitate a cycle path.”
“The scheme will benefit many people in the area, as the A32 Cornagrade Road, Enniskillen is one of the main roads leading into the island town,” said Chris Hazzard.
The work is being carried out by McCallan Brothers who are working 24 hours a day. The lane closure will continue for four weeks of the scheme with the road re-opening due to open to two way traffic in mid August.
Northbound or out of town traffic on Cornagrade Road will be unaffected as it is intended to keep this lane open to traffic at all times and pedestrian access will be maintained over the bridge throughout the project.
South or West bound through traffic coming into town will be diverted at A32 Cherrymount Roundabout, via A32 Irvinestown Road, A32 Forthill Street, Gaol Square, A4 Friths Pass and A4 Wellington Road.
Cornagrade Road itself will be open to local traffic in both directions at all times between Cherrymount Roundabout and the Northern end of the Johnstons Bridges.