New Glenisland bridge on Mayo's R312 is officially opened

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, has today officially open the R312 Glenisland Bridge Scheme.

The R312 is an important connection to the Erris region of northwest of Mayo, which serves a very large rural catchment area and is the largest Gaeltacht area in Mayo.

It is of particular importance to the economical, tourism and regional development of the Erris region and is the main access from south Mayo and further afield.

The purpose of this scheme was to replace a section of carriageway which was substandard in width and alignment and provide a new safer realigned section of carriageway.

Minister Naughton and Councillor Martin McLoughlin, cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening, while Fr. Chris Brennan performed a blessing of the development.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, outlined: “This project is vital to the families, communities and businesses of the Erris region and I am confident it will provide for safer travel for all road users in the many years ahead.

“Commercial vehicles in particular will benefit from the extended width and alignment as they travel on this new bridge at what is a particularly bad bend on the R312.

“These vital works also include the removal of direct access to some houses from the regional road and making the access points to two local roads safer.

“Getting the scheme through the various stages from design to planning, construction and completion took a lot of work and it is very positive to see the project, which will benefit all who travel along this route, come to fruition.“

Councillor McLoughlin said project will make a significant difference to the wider community and all road users of the R312, which services a wide catchment area.

“I acknowledge all those involved in bringing this project to its completion," he added.