Progress made on new bridge

A BRIDGE near Sixmilecross which was destroyed by the devastating floods of summer 2017 has finally been replaced over four years later after a £260,000 scheme.

Work on the replacement Bracky Bridge on the Dreenan Road was delayed for years as engineers attempted to work out the best way of repairing the structure.

Residents of the area faced lengthy detours to get to either nearby Beragh, Sixmilecross and Omagh.

It was eventually decided that a new bridge would be required, with the result that the old one was demolished.

The repair scheme was eventually announced by the Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, last November.

A new single-span bridge made of reinforced concrete with masonry parapets has now been completed.

West Tyrone MLA, Declan McAleer, said he hoped the new bridge would serve the area for “generations to come”.

“It took a while, but it’s great to see progress on Bracky Bridge.

“Hopefully, the new one will withstand all future storms that come its way,” he said.

“The knocking down of this bridge three years ago has caused serious inconvenience to local people, causing them to take lengthy detours and creating risks for emergency services accessing the area.

“The good news is that a new structure is in place, and I hope that the bridge will service its purpose for generations to come.”