The N59 at Letterfrack will be made safer with the construction of new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, as well as the widening of the main road.
The project has been awarded a total of €2.3 million from the National Roads’ Funding for the widening of the N59 at Letterfrack, near the entrance to Connemara National Park.
Galway Senator Seán Kyne says that with Covid-19 restrictions easing, the county council is once again making progress on this vital road widening scheme.
The project will also involve a new cycling and pedestrian path segregated from the main N59 road, tactile paving at the pedestrian crossing, a new central island, and improved signage.
“Located at the entrance to Connemara National Park, near Letterfrack, this particular section of the main road has posed a great danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers due to poor visibility.
“The new works will improve sightlines and visibility and make the road safer for all road-users.”
“I want to especially commend the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the team at Connemara National Park for donating land”.
“As well as local councillor Eileen Mannion whose work to highlight this safety issue helped to enable the project proceed.”
The Irish Wildlife Trust had lodged a complaint with the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht over the felling of a hectare of woodland at Connemara National Park to enable this project.
Their complaint focused on the fact that the land had been given over to the county council for tree felling without any compensatory land being sought by the NPWS.
However, Senator Kyne has said that the National Park team have now identified an area of similar size which will see new woodland planted this year.
“The tree planting is in addition to the ongoing programme carried out by the dedicated team at Connemara National Park.”
