Works will lead to longer tailbacks in Claregalway
A County Galway village known for tailbacks will endure traffic disruption for up to 18 months starting this winter due to road works including installing new cycle lanes.
Galway County Councillors gasped in shock at a local authority meeting this week when they learned the traffic calming and drainage measures works for claregalway">claregalway">Claregalway will last between 12 and 18 months.
The €1.5m project – to slow traffic and alleviate flooding in Baile Chláir – is due to start in the fourth quarter of this year.
Area engineer Peter Gavin said the traffic calming and drainage works are at the final design stage and will go to tender in the second quarter of 2026.
Once works start in the fourth quarter, it will last for up to 18 months, Mr Gavin said.
“It could be shorter but that’s the estimate,” he said.
We don’t want to repeat that in Claregalway
Councillor James Charity (FG) said his jaw dropped when he heard the timelines at the March Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District meeting.
He said the Claregalway project will involve the installation of cycle lanes and he urged Galway County Council to heed the mistakes made at the Ballybane and Castlepark project in Galway City, which has received public backlash.
“We don’t want to repeat that in Claregalway,” he said.
Councillor Charity said the business community in Claregalway would have to be consulted, and their concerns taken on board before work starts.
He also expressed concern that motorists will avoid Claregalway during the construction phase and use Corrandulla and Lackagh as rat runs to get to and from the city.
Director of Services Liam Hanrahan said one of the issues with the city scheme referenced was the public’s lack of awareness of the proposals prior to it starting. He insisted the Claregalway works wouldn't run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the 18 month timeline was an estimate.
Mr Hanrahan agreed the County Council would have to communicate the Claregalway project effectively using various methods including social media, and its own website.
The first part of the schemed involves pavement overlay works on the N84 between Claregalway and Parkmore, Mr Gavin said.
The awarding of a contract for this part of the project – at a cost of €2.5m - is due within weeks. Works are scheduled start in April, and last for three months.