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Contracts Signed For Initial Phase Of Relief Road For Major Offaly Town

Tuesday, 26 October 2021 07:15

A recent survey showed 18,000 cars pass through Edenderry daily.

Offaly County Council have signed a contract with Tower Civil Engineering to complete the constriction of Phase 1 of the Edenderry Inner Relief Road project.

Phase 1 of the Edenderry Inner Relief project will see the construction of a new link road from Clonmullen linking across to the St. Conleth’s Road (R401) via Clonmeen Rise. It also includes the realignment of the R401 / Gleann Na Carraige improving access westward toward Fr. McWey Street.

This link will enable traffic coming from the Dublin Road (R402) to access the north side of Edenderry Town without having to use the severely congested Main JKL Street.

Edenderry is a linear town centred along the R402 which runs east-west. Due to the high volume of through traffic to and from Dublin and the near 8,000 population of the second largest town in Offaly, it often takes up to half an hour to cross Edenderry town. Edenderry also acts as a school hub for a large hinterland, exacerbating traffic issues.

Recent traffic counts conducted by Offaly County Council have found that approximately 18,000 vehicles daily travel through Edenderry on the R402, an extremely high volume exceeding many National routes. Surveys carried out on behalf of Offaly County Council found that traffic is the number one issue for residents of Edenderry. In response, Offaly Council Council secured Part 8

Planning for Edenderry Inner Relief Road project in March 2019.

Cathaoirleach of Edenderry Muncipal District, Councillor Liam Quinn stressed the status of Edenderry as Offaly’s second largest town, and it’s role as a key economic driver in East Offaly and wider hinterland extending into parts of Counties Kildare and Meath. Cllr Quinn recognized the support and prominence given to this project throughout its development by his colleagues in Edenderry Municipal District.

Speaking at the contract signing, Anna-Marie Delaney Chief Executive Offaly County Council expressed her thanks for the support of elected representatives and the work carried out by the technical team to advance this highly significant project. Ms. Delaney identified this project as being of strategic importance to Edenderry, and pleased to see this key objective of the Local Area Plan delivered.

Ms. Delaney praised the myriad positive developments in Edenderry in recent years, mentioning the Library development, public realm projects, Grand Canal Greenway enhancement and pipeline of Blundell Masterplan projects emerging.

Ciaran Garry, Managing Director of Tower Civil Engineering, remarked that he was excited to be taking on this substantial project and looked forward to bringing Tower’s experience and skills to this challenging civil engineering project.

Tom Shanahan Director of Transportation Offaly County Council looked forward to the potential advancing of Phase 2 of the Edenderry Inner Relief Road project in the near future. Design has recently been complete for Phase 2 which would link Fr. McWey Street, at the rear of the Dunnes Shopping Centre, to Eden Business Campus providing a route onwards to Rhode via the R441. Cllr. Quinn noted the impact the completion of the full project would have on access for school, particularly the planned new Oakland College, adjacent to the Dunnes Shopping Centre.

Mark Mahon took the opportunity to acknowledge the support of the Department of Transport for providing the funding of approximately €2.5m for this crucial link. Mark thanked the elected

Offaly County Council have prioritized the including of quality cycle-ways within Edenderry Inner Relief. This will provide a boost to the development of an expanding cycling network currently being planned through Active Travel initiatives.

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