ENGINEERS are assessing the possibility of harnessing the tidal power underneath the new Mulroy Bay bridge.

Councillors at Milford Electoral area meeting were informed that research will be carried out into the possibility of placing turbines underneath the new structure to harness the strong tidal energy in Mulroy bay.

The good weather of recent weeks has meant that much of the preparatory work on beginning the construction of the bridge has been completed. The contractor, Ascon Ltd., completed a temporary diversion of the Oweewee river a month ago and a design for the river culvert has been submitted. The piling contractor moved on site on Monday and is moving toward construction of the first intermediate and main piers. The temporary access platforms have already been completed and all the peat bog from the southern approach has been taken away.

Contractor Ascon Ltd and RPS engineers have appointed environmental specialists to monitor the water quality in the bay during the construction process. It is expected that reinforced concrete works for the bridge abutments and the installations of pile supports will be well underway by the summer.

The contract is currently under review and is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2008, six months ahead of schedule.

Concerns were raised by Councillor Noel McBride that the Carrigart road has widened in places due to the heavy volume of traffic and Councillor Noel McBride also queried if an application had been made to improve the road from the monument to Ballyheerin road.

Members were informed submissions had been made to the roads department for funding to upgrade the road but access routes are not part of the Mulroy Bay bridge project.