County Kildare Chamber today welcomed the announcement by Kildare Co. Council of the allocation by the NRA of an additional €1,900,000 of funding towards the Athy Southern Distributor Road. These funds will be used to carry out accommodating works along the proposed route in advance of the main building contract. Vivian Cummins of County Kildare Chamber recently met with Niall Morrissey, Director of Services – Roads, Transportation and Public Safety with Kildare County Council to discuss the announcement.
Accommodating works are used to clarify “known unknowns” in advance of going out to tender for the construction of the actual road itself and will include works at housing developments adjoining the new route, at Irish Rail and investigative works to assess any potential adverse ground conditions. These accommodating works are expected to be completed by the end of 2018. It is then expected construction of the long-awaited road will commence during 2019 and is expected to take 18 months to complete”.
Vivian Cummins noted, “The period in which public objections could be made via Judicial Review has elapsed so there are no planning impediments to the preferred route proceeding. This announcement is welcomed by the Chamber, as this funding allows for works to be carried out immediately. Hopefully, we will soon see a presence on site of actual works being carried out.”
County Kildare Chamber will continue to engage with Kildare County Council on the progress of this project and keep our members informed.