Need for cantilever bridge for Rooskey raised again

Cllr Sean McGowan and Cllr Des Guckian have both again raised the issue of the much longed for cantilever bridge for Rooskey bridge.
Speaking at the latest Carrick-on-Shannon municipal district meeting last Monday, March 11, Cllr McGowan sought the support of the members in calling on the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport to immediately provide funding for the provision of a cantilever bridge adjoined to the existing road bridge in Rooskey.
Cllr Guckian asked that “the unsatisfactory traffic/ pedestrian situation at Rooskey Bridge be addressed by the building of a pedestrian cantilever bridge alongside the current bridge and to the southern side of it.”
Cllr McGowan again stressed that the only option he would accept would be a cantilever bridge and the “people of Rooskey want something to happen sooner than later; it's going on years and years.”
A report by the Roads office to the meeting noted that elected members in the Carrick Municipal District and Boyle Municipal District were briefed on the Option Report, prepared by Fehily Timoney Consultants on 21st February 2024 and the emerging preferred option of traffic lights and a footpath on the existing bridge deck was presented and discussed.
A trial of this set up will be planned and assessed later in 2024.
The views of the members both from Leitrim and Roscommon, who unanimously did not agree with the emerging preferred option, was noted and the National Transport Authority were informed of this view, the response concluded.
Cllr McGowan said that installing traffic lights and a footpath would be a “recipe for disaster” adding that the bridge is “only 4.7metres wide” and that this wouldn't leave much room for traffic and pedestrians to use the bridge safely.
Cllr Guckian said the trial was “a waste of time” in his view and said that “we urgently need the cantilever bridge and it should have been erected years ago.”
He said the cost of €2m should not be a deterrent as “you can't put a price on safety and human life.”
Cllr Thomas Mulligan seconded the motion.
Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer with Leitrim County Council, said the trial will go ahead but “before anything permanent goes ahead, we will be coming back before the members.”