N59 - Oughterard to Clifden [Phase 1 under construction]

marno21

Tender out for fencing for the next phase, 10km Bunnakill-Oughterard section

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/157836/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=ETENDERS_SIMPLE

marno21

Works to begin in January

https://twitter.com/CISireland/status/1204442731134771202

DrSerious3

Good work being done at Clifden side of Letterfrack N59 widening the road. Don't know what they are going to do about the narrow bridge at Avoca though?

Some talk of a cycle path being built from the National Park to Kylemore Abbey as well.

Serious work also underway between Maam Cross and Oughteratd, amount of plant onsite is incredible. Looking forward to seeing how it ends up. Work also underway to build a railway tourist attraction at Maam Cross so it's all go in Connemara.

DrSerious3

Work coming to an end at Letterfrack. Road has been widened (ever so slightly), surface improved and cycle track installed. Only about 200 metres though: does anyone know is there more to come?

marno21

Noone Civil awarded a contract to fence the remaining 10km between Bunnakill and Oughterard.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/157836/0/1?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders&b=ETENDERS_SIMPLE

It's reasonable to assume that this will start in the next 2 years.

marno21

Latest:

The N59 Clifden to Maam Cross to Oughterard project was identified in the last national development plan as a key piece of infrastructure to be developed to planning, design and construction. This major project was refused planning approval by An Bord Pleanála in 2016. However the Clifden to Maam Cross section of the project was reactivated in 2020 and is in the NDP 2021-2030. An initial strategic assessment report was submitted to the Department of Transport in April 2021 and an updated report was submitted in November 2021. It is expected the report will be with the Minister for review and decision this year on whether the project will move to the next stage.

The N59 Maam Cross to Oughterard component of the original scheme, comprising 15 km of single carriageway, is now being delivered as a series of minor improvement schemes, the first of which, Maam Cross to Bunakill, was completed in July 2021. While this project is not being progressed in 2022, it will be considered for advancement next year.

marno21

https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2023-04-19a.14

Latest on the next 10km from Bunnakill to Oughterard (Claremont).

Expediency is not in the vocabulary of the NPWS.

marno21

Method statements for enabling works have been prepared and submitted to National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) for agreement in December 2021. NPWS has advised Galway County Council that they will not agree to the method statements due to potential impacts on freshwater pearl mussel population in the Owenriff river. Galway County Council have sought a high-level meeting with NPWS to try to resolve issue regarding non-approval of method statements. Work on tender documents for Phase 5 advance works (Geotechnical Investigations and Archaeology) is complete.

I mean what can you say.