Construction begins on scheme to improve lethal stretch of road in Kilkenny

A sod turning event was held yesterday (Thursday) in order to mark the commencement of the N24 Tower Road Junction Improvement Scheme in South Kilkenny.

It took place in the presence of Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick, Cllr. Fidelis Doherty, Chairperson of the Piltown Municipal District, Oireachtas Members, Elected Members of Kilkenny County Council and invited guests. 

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The completion of this project will realise an improvement scheme objective identified within the City & County Development Plan 2021-2027. The total cost of the project is €14.3 million.

The N24 Tower Road Junction Improvement Scheme once constructed will include: 

An upgrade of the Tower Road Junction to a safer compact grade separated junction, with new overbridge spanning the N24 national road and left in, left out only access to and from the N24;
A new 750m link road running parallel with the N24 and connecting the Ink bottle Junction to a new Tower Road roundabout;
Closure of the existing Ink Bottle Junction;
The provision of cycle and pedestrian facilities for vulnerable road users. 

"The commencement of construction of the N24 Tower Road Junction improvement is very much welcomed by the people of Piltown and the surrounding areas and will provide safer access for local road users and visitors to Piltown from the busy N24, with enhanced facilities for vulnerable road users," said Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick.

"I want to acknowledge the commitment and funding provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland for this project, without which we would not be here today."

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Cllr Fidelis Doherty on behalf of Piltown Municipal District also commented “I congratulate all the stakeholders involved in finally getting this project to construction. For many years my fellow Elected Members in this Municipal District and I have raised the issue of safety of the existing N24 Tower Road Junction and I am delighted that a safe alternative in now being commenced with the construction of the N24 Tower Road Junction Improvement Scheme by contractor Wills Brothers.”