Road collapse repair work well under way
WORK to repair the huge hole that appeared in a road in Belfast city centre on Saturday appeared well-advanced yesterday, as the feared traffic congestion failed to emerge.
The busy commuter route at Cromac Street is expected to reopen by Saturday, according to the Roads Service.
Motorists driving in from south and east Belfast are being warned to avoid the area and take an alternative approach to the city – and most people yesterday appeared to take heed of the advice. Roads Service spokesman Colin Brown said the Monday morning traffic had been relatively light, aiding efforts to avoid gridlock.
He said the timing of the collapse had helped as it gave the authorities two days to get the message across.
"Roads Service has met with the PSNI to try and encourage traffic to avoid the area, and with the assistance of the media this seems to have worked," said Mr Brown.
"We also have information on our website and 24-hour telephone line and we have asked traffic from the east to use Queen's Bridge and from the south to use Ormeau Avenue – and the message seems to have been taken very clearly."
Mr Brown said he expected the traffic to get heavier as the week progressed so Roads Service was continuing to stress that motorists should plan ahead.
"My message is that 20,000 vehicles usually use this part of the road so it is likely to be subject to congestion and it is best to completely avoid it."
The hole was caused by a huge void, possibly created during the digging of the main sewer tunnel that runs from Cromac Street to a massive new treatment works at Duncrue Street.
Northern Ireland Water is in charge of the building of the new sewer system designed to alleviate pressure on Belfast's antiquated Victorian drainage system.
Senior NIW official Bill Gowdy said they thought the air bubble could have been created up to a year ago and has taken all this time to rise to the surface.
He said the repair work was fairly straightforward: "Progress is very good. We have backfilled the excavation and it's all nicely consolidated."
Mr Gowdy assured the public that the new storm drain system will be completed on schedule.
"The tunnel is perfectly fine and will be operational on time in December."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
