N21 Castleisland Bypass Opens Today Friday-October 22, 2010

21/10/2010

Minister for Defence, Mr Tony Killeen TD stated. The opening of the Castleisland Bypass, 2 months ahead of schedule, is a major step in improving access to Kerry, and the county as a whole would benefit from the Bypass. The €35m project is expected to remove 60% of traffic from Castleisland’s Main Street, and greatly reduce travel times into and out of Kerry.

"The Government is committed to investing in a safe and modern road network under Transport 21,” the Minister stated. “We can see today that investment brought to fruition with the opening of the N21 Castleisland Bypass Road Improvement Scheme.

“This 5.4km road scheme will offer direct benefits for the people of County Kerry by reducing journey time and more importantly by providing a safer route. This scheme will provide improved accessibility to County Kerry and will continue to facilitate the important industry of tourism for the entire County.

“On a regional level the N21 links County Kerry with County Limerick and improves overall regional connectivity for people conducting their day to day business which is vital for the entire regions economic well being."

Fred Barry, CEO of the National Roads Authority stated: “The National Roads Authority understands the importance of the N21 Castleisland Bypass, not only for daily road users, but for visitors and business throughout the region.” 

“Additionally, there are a significant amount of projects of this scale throughout the country that will improve overall road safety, enhance competitiveness and give back to communities their villages and towns. We will continue to work with the local County Councils on upgrading and improving regional connectivity throughout the country.”

Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Pat Leahy, also pointed to the benefits of improved access to the county.  “The N21 is the main access route to the county and traditionally there have been long delays passing through Castleisland town,” the Mayor stated. “Now, thanks to the hard work of many people, especially the people of Castleisland, we are able to declare these delays a thing of the past.

And he stated that it was particularly satisfying to be able to open the Bypass before the October Bank Holiday weekend, when there is added traffic on the roads.

“This is a project where everybody, both from political and community spheres have come together for the good of the county, and I would like to pay tribute to them for their hard work in bringing it off the drawing board and making it a reality.”

Construction work on the €35m project by Bam Civil Limited began in May 2009. Tributes were also paid to contractor’s designer RPS Ballincollig Cork and Jacobs Engineering Ireland, Dublin.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

• Approximately 3 months ahead of schedule.
• The 5.4km road bypasses Castleisland to the west of the town and links the N23 Killarney Road at Clashganniv to the N21 Limerick Road at Dooneen, via the N21 Tralee Road at Knockannagore.
• The Limerick Road-Tralee Road section consists of 3.4km of Type 2 Dual Carriageway.
• A single-carriageway links the N21 Tralee Road to the N23 Killarney Road.
• The Bypass will Divert 60% of all traffic from the town centre
• The Bypass will divert 78% of Heavy Goods Vehicles from the Town Centre

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