The national roads authority has ruled out a temporary bridge in Miltown Malbay following the closure of Clonbony Bridge earlier this month.
In a statement to Clare FM, Transport Infrastructure Ireland says there's no significant benefit to a temporary bridge as it would take three weeks to construct.
Works are due to get underway early next week to repair flood damage caused to Clonbony Bridge earlier this month.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland, formerly the NRA, is taking responsibility for the bridge repair in conjunction with engineers from Clare County Council and it says it will take four weeks to complete.
The TII has acknowledged the significant disruption the shutdown is causing but insists its necessary due to the extent of the damage.
It says constructing a temporary bridge would be of no benefit as it would take three weeks to construct.
Town traders met last night to discuss the impact of the closure with some saying eighty per cent of their custom has been lost over the past two weeks.
Tony Cogan of Cogan's Bar and Restaurant says traders are furious.
Eddie Keane of the Old Bakehouse Restaurant says a number of jobs have already been lost as a result of the closure two weeks ago.
