Contract signed for Mayo village's active travel and safety project

Mayo County Council has signed contracts with Jons Civil Engineering Limited for the construction of the N60 Breaffy Active Travel and Safety Measures Scheme outside Castlebar.

This strategically significant project spans approximately 4.2 kilometres, beginning at the IDA Park Roundabout and terminating at the Drumdoogh L5782 local road.

The scheme is designed to enhance active travel infrastructure and improve road safety along the N60 corridor.

The construction is scheduled to commence this month and the works will be carried out over an 18-month period, with the project being funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

The cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Al McDonnell, said: “This is a momentous development for the village of Breaffy and the wider Castlebar area.

"It will dramatically increase road safety and encourage the population of the village to get out and be active with new cycling and walking infrastructure linking the village to Castlebar.

“It will also encourage people to use sustainable transport alternatives rather than cars to commute to and from work with this new active travel infrastructure.”

Speaking after the signing of the contracts, chief executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, said: “This new active travel scheme will be a game changer for the village of Breaffy and the wider community

“These new active travel and safety measures along with promoting walking, cycling and sustainable mobility will enhance road safety by separating vulnerable road users from vehicular traffic, along with enabling compact and sustainable development in the area.”

The development will include several significant upgrades to the existing carriageway to increase safety and encourage active travel.

These features include:

· Segregated footpaths and one-way cycle facilities on both sides of the N60 within the 60 km/h zone

· A shared pedestrian/cycle facility on one side of the N60 within the existing 80 km/h and 100 km/h zones

· Provision of a periodic 60km/h zone at school drop-off and pick-up times at Breaffy Village.

· Removal of hard shoulder parking on the N60 in Breaffy Village.

· The installation of a new jug-handle crossing East of the N5-N60 junction (approaching Castlebar within the 60 km/h zone).

· The construction of new pedestrian crossings at Cottage Road (L5757), Breaffy National School, and Drumdoogh Road junction (L5782).

· The provision of two new bus bays at Breaffy Village.

· Along with upgrades to the Kilkenny Cross Roundabout to support active travel infrastructure.

PHOTO: Back row: John Gallagher (Executive Engineer, National Roads Office), John Killen (Jons Civil Engineering Co. Ltd), Cllr Ger Deere, Tommie Sheridan (Acting Senior Executive Engineer, Mayo County Council) Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, Eoghan Vahey (Jons Civil Engineering Co. Ltd), Cllr Blackie Gavin, Cllr Donna Sheridan, Paul Hyland (Senior Engineer, National Roads Office, Mayo County Council), Mary Flynn (Regional Manager, TII), Cllr Cyril Burke, Stephen O’Brien (Senior Engineering Inspector, TII)

Front row: Martina Hughes (Senior Executive Officer, Mayo County Council), John Pentony (Jons Civil Engineering Co. Ltd), Cllr Al McDonnell (Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District), Kevin Kelly (Chief Executive, Mayo County Council), Conrad Harley (Acting Head of Roads, Mayo County Council).

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.