Relief road for Carlow town gets one step closer

THE DEVELOPMENT of Carlow’s Southern Relief Road took a significant step forward this week with the signing of contracts to take the multi-million project through the design and planning phases.

The much-anticipated Southern Relief Road will link the town’s Dublin Road/Eastern Relief Road at MSD across to the Wexford Road and continue towards the River Barrow, possibly taking in townslands like Chapelstown, Ballinacarrig and Quinagh. It will also offer an opportunity to extend the road at the Éire Óg roundabout to the new southern relief road, significantly easing traffic in this area of the town.

This major road infrastructure will have a dramatic impact on traffic congestion, particularly on the Tullow Road, O’Brien Road and the town centre, while opening up large areas of land on the southern side of the town.

Carlow County Council, with the support of the Department of Transport, has appointed consultants Roughan & O’Donovan Ltd/AECOM Ireland Ltd Alliance to advance the Carlow Southern Relief Road through the design and planning phases.

The appointment of consultants for the provision of technical consultancy services for phases one to four of the Carlow Southern Relief Road is seen as a major milestone in the delivery of this project.

This section of the road’s development is set to cost €4m and is expected to be concluded within two years. It is understood that four possible routes are currently being examined.

Public consultation will form part of this phase of the scheme as a preferred route is finally selected, then ultimately submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

“I warmly welcome the appointment of consultants to this project, which marks an important step forward and I look forward to seeing the project progress through the phases,” said cllr Fergal Browne, cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.

“The Carlow Southern Relief Road is a critical infrastructural development for our county. It will not only improve the quality of life for residents by alleviating congestion but also provide significant opportunities for growth and development in the region when complete. I commend the Department of Transport for their continued dedication to Carlow and the region.” Mayor of Carlow Municipal District cllr Fintan Phelan also expressed his delight with this great news.

“This significant infrastructure project will enhance the quality of life for those living in Carlow town and will boost the local economy by alleviating congestion in the town.” Speaking about the project, Coilín O’Reilly, chief executive Carlow County Council, said: “The progression of this scheme marks a major milestone in enhancing the infrastructure supporting Carlow. The scheme, when complete, will connect strategic important elements of the existing land transport around Carlow and the surrounding areas. It will offer a quality walking and cycling infrastructure around the town. It will provide the orbital route that defines the development boundary on the south side of the town and will provide the infrastructure to ensure access to critical services such as education, healthcare and employment.”