Contractor appointed for Construction of Saunders Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge, Mullingar

Westmeath County Council has appointed Murphy International Ltd. as the main contractor for the construction of the new Saunders Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge. The bridge will be located adjacent to the existing Saunders Road Bridge on Ardmore Road, Mullingar.

Funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority's Active Travel Investment Programme, the project will play a key role in connecting existing active travel infrastructure along Ardmore Road with
planned infrastructure for Dublin Road and Millmount Road.

This infrastructure project will:

 Provide a high-quality shared-use active travel facility built to the latest design standards

 Support sustainable development of Mullingar's southeastern suburbs by creating an attractive route for active travel users while accommodating all transport modes

 Significantly improve accessibility to local services and schools for active travel users in the Ardmore/Ballinderry area

Councillor Liam McDaniel, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, welcomed the contract signing, noting that it "demonstrates our ongoing commitment to developing Active Travel infrastructure throughout the county."

Councillor Ken Glynn, Mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar-Kinnegad, commented: "I am delighted to see this much-anticipated project begin. Once completed, it will make a tremendous difference to local residents and pedestrians who use this route daily. As a local councillor, I have long championed this project and look forward to seeing the finished result."

Mr. Barry Kehoe, Chief Executive of Westmeath County Council, welcomed the appointment of Murphy International Ltd., stating: "This project represents a significant step forward in delivering an integrated Active Travel network for pedestrians and cyclists in Mullingar. It will provide commuters with sustainable transport alternatives, help reduce car dependency, and forms a crucial element in implementing the National Sustainable Mobility Policy."

Mr. James Donnelly, Project Director at Murphy International Ltd., stated: "Murphy International is delighted to work with Westmeath County Council and Design ID to deliver this important infrastructure project, which will greatly benefit the Mullingar community."

Back Row – L to R

Leo Buckley (Active Travel, Westmeath County Council), Ronan Carlin (Design ID), Ross Blakely (Murphy International Ltd), James Donnelly (Murphy International Ltd), Jean Ryan (Director of Service, Westmeath County Council), Barry Kehoe (Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council),  Pat Nally (Active Travel, Westmeath County Council)

Front Row – L to R

Kevin Morrissey (Murphy International Ltd), John Murphy (Murphy International Ltd), Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council,  Cllr. Liam McDaniel, Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District Cllr. Ken Glynn.

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L to R -

Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District Cllr. Ken Glynn,  Barry Kehoe (Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council), Rachel Brown (Active Travel, Westmeath County Council), James Donnelly (Murphy International Ltd), Michelle Murphy (Active Travel, Westmeath County Council), Jean Ryan (Director of Service, Westmeath County Council), Ross Blakely (Murphy International Ltd), Kevin Morrissey (Murphy International Ltd), John Murphy (Murphy International Ltd), Pat Nally (Active Travel, Westmeath County Council), Ronan Carlin (Design ID), Leo Buckley (Active Travel, Westmeath County Council), Pat Kavanagh (Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District, Westmeath County Council)

#ActiveTravelWestmeath

Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 10/06/2025