Progress on exciting plans for paths along the Callan bypass

Excitement is growing for plans to transform the Callan bypass. Works are set to be carried out to improve walking and cycling along the route.

At the recent meeting of the Callan Thomastown Municipal District councillors Area Engineer Declan Murphy said survey works along the route will commence in March.

Routes for bike and footpaths are also progressing, at Tramore House Regional Design Office, he added. There is a lot to be considered alongside path routes, including crash barriers, signage, road markings, line markings and lighting.

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Cllr Joe Lyons asked that when the work is being done in the bypass if a new sign for ‘Callan Town Centre’ could be included. It would be a great help for visitors not familiar with the one-way system, he said.
Mr Murphy said that was in the plan, and there is also a plan to number junctions.

District Chairman, Cllr Matt Doran, said he was getting excited to see the plans progressing. They had been waiting a long time for the project to take off, he said, and asked if they could influence a speed reduction on the bypass.

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He said the current speed of 100kph is “ludicrous” and you wouldn’t see a road like it anywhere in Ireland, with the junctions on it.
“If it was in the city it would be done,” he said. In a rural area it takes forever to get it done, he said, and it was something that couldn’t be defended to the public.

Mr Murphy said he was pushing for a speed limit reduction. First they have to get the scheme over the line, then he will go back for a speed reduction to be implemented on the Callan bypass. He is in talks with Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The Callan bypass does not lend itself to roundabouts, he said. A new, three metre wide shared walking and cycling surface will be part of the scheme. This will tighten the carriageway, which has a slowing effect on traffic.

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Bridge Street
Plans for the project to transform the carriageway on Bridge Street is set to go to tender in the coming weeks. It is hoped to start work this summer, although no time scale has yet been agreed.
Mr Murphy said it is likely the work will be carried out in phases to reduce disruption to the local community, for example first installing the pedestrian crossings and doing Upper and Lower Bridge Street in different phases.