Report Paul Murphy
Navan’s long-awaited new bridge linking the Navan-Kells and Ratholdron roads is ready for drivers cyclists and pedestrians today, opening up the prospect of an easing of traffic congestion on Navan’s North end and at the N51 Slane-Ratholdron Road junction. As a result of the opening of the road, traffic is expected to reduce on the route from the Round O roundabout to the fire station. The official opening is scheduled to take place this Friday. Construction of the road and bridge started in January last year. The project covers about 1.2km West of Navan and includes right-turn lanes and pedestrian/cycle crossing to enhance traffic flows and safety.
Unromantically named the (LDR) 4, a “proper” name for the construction is awaited. Aontu Cllr Emer Toibin was first into the field last March when she managed to get her notice of motion to name the bridge after 1916 and War of Independence figure Sean Boylan Senior was supported by Municipal District colleagues. Sinn Fein Cllr Eddie Fennessy and Independent Cllr Francis Deane have proposed the name of the late Derry Fitzgerald, trade union and community activist while journalist John Donohoe is campaigning for the name of Mary Lavin, American-born Irish author of short stories and novels.
There may be some territorial confusion as to who names what – with the naming of the bridge in the hands of the National Transport Authority with the naming of the road left in the hands of the county council. The Meath County Council Commemoration Committee will no doubt be involved and will follow a laid-down protocol for this purpose.
All concerned will be anxious to avoid the controversy over the naming of the Boyne cable bridge at Oldbridge which opened in 2003. A dispute developed between members of both Meath and Louth county councils over the renaming of the cable bridge in honour of former President Mary McAleese. The row arose when Meath County Council proceeded with the naming without consulting Louth. The dispute trundled on in public for some years until a compromise was reached in 2013, one which resulted in Ireland’s bridge with the longest name – Mary McAleese Boyne valley Bridge.
*Other bridge naming rows: Some councillors in New Ross and Piltown wanted to name the 887m bridge as part of the New Ross Bypass the Pink Rock Bridge. In a public consultation in 2018 47 different names were suggested. It was eventually named the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge (after President John F Kennedy’s mother).
