Locals in the area will be delighted to see the Ferrymountgarret Bridge emerge from its cocoon with repaired steel works and painting complete above deck. The removal of scaffolding has commenced, and the installation of waterproofing will take place next week followed by road surface reinstatement.  Seeing the steelwork in all its glory is, for many, like welcoming back an old friend.

 As of today’s date, works are on target to reopen the bridge to traffic on August the 28^th.  There will be a traffic management system in place after the 28^th of August until all remaining works are completed for approximately 1 month.

Image Gallery 

Photo 1  - Ferrymountgarret Bridge covered for restoration works

Photo 2 - Ferrymountgarret Bridge emerging from covering

Photo3 - Painted steel work

Update Published: 7 August 2026

Ferrymountgarret Bridge Works on Schedule

The repair and refurbishment of the Ferrymountgarret Bridge in south Kilkenny is a major infrastructural project for Kilkenny County Council. Structural defects on, in and under the bridge were fully assessed in 2025 and funding in the amount of Approx. €1.5m was provided by the Department of Transport in the 2026 budget to carry out full repairs of the landmark structure. As well as a regional road project the works being undertaken are also conservation works. Complexities and unexpected challenges are usually part of such projects. The Ferrymountgarret Bridge closed to traffic from June 24th last up to August 28th to allow the required works to be delivered as quickly as possible. The works included stripping of the paint by shot blasting back to its original steel work base underneath and above, the construction of six stories of scaffolding both over and underneath the bridge, the replacement and/or repair of steelwork and concrete structures, the provision of lighting and ducting for services and the rebuilding and resurfacing of the main road carriageway including new parapets, drainage and kerbing.

While complex issues have been encountered during the works, the contractor on site, Glas Civil Engineering Ltd and Tetra Tech Engineering Services, working with Kilkenny County Council staff successfully dealt with all challenges arising and the works remain on schedule. As we progress to the reinstatement of the main road carriageway three major steps remain. The dismantling and removal of the large scaffolding structure once the final paintwork is completed to the steel structure, the water proofing of the Bridge deck forming the base of the carriageway and the laying of tarmacadam across the new roadway. The final two elements of the works, water proofing and surfacing will require dry weather at various stages over the next three weeks and minor delays may result.

It is important to note that works will continue after August 28th, for approximately 1 month, under traffic management to carry out remaining works outside of the full road closure.

Image Gallery 

Click on an image to view a larger version