Contracts signed for two Limerick road projects

Contracts with a combined value of €4.3m have been signed in relation to two road construction projects in Co Limerick.

Limerick City and County Council has entered into a €3.8m contract with P&D Lydon Plant Hire Ltd. for the construction of the second and final phase of the N21 Killarney Pole to Barnagh Road Safety Scheme.

This follows the announcement in May 2014 by the National Roads Authority (NRA) of the allocation of funding for the completion of the scheme, located approximately 3km west of Newcastle West on the N21 Limerick to Tralee national road.

The first phase of the scheme, between Barnagh and Garryduff Cross, was completed in March 2012, while the second and final phase involves the realignment and widening of the existing N21 and significant improvements to the existing junction at the Killarney Pole.

The second phase construction is expected to commence shortly and is planned to be completed by the end of 2015.

Meanwhile, Limerick City and County Council has entered into a separate €0.5m contract with P&D Lydon Plant Hire Ltd. for the construction of the N24 Dromkeen Traffic Calming Scheme, located approximately 15 km south-east of Limerick City on the N24 Limerick to Waterford national road.

The scheme involves the construction of traffic calming gateways, traffic calming islands, footpaths and bus bays, as well as the modification of an existing minor junction, the provision of additional public lighting and drainage works.

Construction of the scheme is expected to commence shortly and is planned to be completed by June 2015.

Welcoming the signing of the contract for the Killarney Pole to Barnagh road safety scheme, Cllr. Jerome Scanlan, Chair of the Municipal District of Newcastle West commented; "The completion of this scheme will mark the end of the improvement works first planned by the Council back in early 2011 in response to the pattern and severity of collisions occurring along this section of the N21 over the previous years."

"The scheme will be welcomed by many in the local community who have campaigned vigorously over the years for these improvement works to be undertaken along this section of the N21," said Cllr. Scanlan.

Cllr. Eddie Ryan, Chair of the Municipal District of Cappamore-Killamallock said the reduction of average vehicle speeds as a result of the traffic calming measures being introduced by the N24 Dromkeen traffic scheme will provide "immediate safety benefits" for the community of Dromkeen as well as all road users on the N24 national road, which has approximately 10,000 vehicles per day passing through the village.

"The provision of footpaths, improved public lighting and bus bays with shelters will benefit pedestrians and promote the use of public transport," added Cllr. Ryan.