Construction starts on upgrade of regional route linking Mayo and Galway

CONSTRUCTION is set to begin on a major upgrade of the R332, a key regional road linking counties Galway and Mayo.

Galway County Council has awarded the €4 million Kilbannon Road Improvement Scheme contract to Jons Civil Engineering of Carranstown, Duleek, Co. Meath.

The R332 links the N17 Tuam bypass with the N84 at Kilmaine in Co. Mayo.

Traffic on the route has more than tripled since the Tuam bypass opened, rising from about 860 vehicles a day in 2017 to roughly 2,800 in 2018. This has highlighted safety concerns in Kilbannon village, where the road narrows and visibility is poor, and there are no dedicated facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.

The scheme will widen and realign the R332 through Kilbannon village and north to the GAA grounds. It will add a shared cycle track and footpath linking Saint Benin’s National School with Kilbannon GAA Club, new controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists and minor realignment of local side roads (L-2210 and L-6486). A sustainable drainage system and other road safety improvements will also be installed.

Designed by O’Connor Sutton Cronin Consultant Engineers, the 1.55-kilometre project is expected to be completed by December.

Speaking at the contract signing in Áras an Chontae, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Sean Canney said the project would improve safety for all road users and create new walking and cycling links between the school, the village and the GAA grounds.

Liam Conneally, chief executive of Galway County Council, said the project is a major investment in road safety and sustainable travel for Kilbannon and the surrounding area.

"This upgrade is a direct response to the sharp rise in traffic on the R332 since the Tuam bypass opened,” he added. “Widening the road, improving crossings, and adding dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will tackle long-standing safety issues and make Kilbannon safer and easier to get around."