This article is from page 5 of the 2006-08-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
SCENES of cars, vans and caravans lined up bumper to bumper in hot humid conditions, from Dromoland through Clarecastle and on to the county town of Ennis, are likely to end this year as the Ennis bypass remains on track for its spring opening.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed that the dual carriageway to the east of the town would open before the end of this year, taking all through traffic between Limerick and Galway out of Ennis.
The rest of the project, linking the bypass to the town, is to open on or before April 11 as planned.
The completion of the N85 Western Relief Road from Claureen to Clareabbey Roundabout is expected by mid-January with the final section of the N85 Clareabbey Roundabout to Killow Junction to be completed by April 11.
This completed project promises to reduce regional infrastructure imbalances with the support of the EU Cohesion Fund.
Before the completion of the project, however, motorists will still have to contend with the resulting road works.
Roadworks are currently ongoing on the N18 at Dromoland Interchange just to the south of Latoon Bridge.
A temporary new road layout is in operation for a period of up to 10 weeks on the N68 Kilrush Road at Cahercalla More between the O’Sullivan and Hansbury Garage and Rockmount Cross.
Clare County Council senior resident engineer Paul Moroney has asked motorists to slow down and take care at the temporary diversions during the coming months.
He confirmed that in the past week the precast bridge beams for the Kilrush overpass had been lifted into place and construction of the bridge deck has now commenced
Meanwhile, artistically-inspired motorists or passengers who may be caught in traffic while the bypass is completed, have time to consider submitting a proposal to the public art commission.
Clare County Council has invited outline submissions for a site-specific public art project to be located on the N18 Ennis Bypass.