Relief road: Kilkenny congestion set to ease as vital road re-opens
There could be some New Year’s cheer for Kilkenny commuters, as a road which takes a lot of traffic away from the city centre and eases congestion around the city, is set to be re-opened.
As part of the Western Environs infrastructure scheme, the Circular Road linking the Callan Road to Kilcreene will reopen in January. The road was due to re-open this month but due to circumstances such as the weather, this has not been possible.
The installation of a second bridge over the River Breagagh is close to completion. Once finished it will allow Circular Road to reopen, which will enable traffic from the north side of the city access the ring road without having to go through the city.
It was expected the work on Circular Road, including the construction of the two bridges, would take just five months. Circular Road has been closed since early July.
The upgraded road will connect Whitebridge and the Callan Road roundabout to Kilcreene, making access to the Orthopeaedic Hospital easier from the Ring Road. The upgrade includes upgrades of junctions onto the Callan Road and the R695, as well as widening the road.
The closure of Circular Road has seen a massive volume of traffic divert towards Dominic Street and Stephens Street, creating noticeable traffic delays in the city centre. All HGV traffic is being diverted via the Ring Road and St Francis Bridge.
The company tasked with the Western Environs infrastructure scheme SIAC, says the scheme is on schedule and is due to be completed by September 2020.
