More traffic disruption forecast as busy junction closes

The Athlone area looks set to experience yet more traffic disruption in the coming week, with the news that a busy town centre junction will be shut to traffic.

Early next week, the Athlone watermains replacement project moves to start work at the junction outside Dunnes Stores, Irishtown and during the construction the pivotal crossing will be closed to cars, with diversions in place.
At the same time, work is due to start on Wednesday of next week on repairs to the bridge over the Athlone bypass.

One lane of the busy bypass will shut to traffic for the three to four weeks duration of the works, however, a spokesperson for the National Roads Authority previously stressed that traffic will be able to travel in both directions at all times and there are no plans to fully close the stretch.

However, knock-on delays to traffic approaching Athlone and through the town centre streets are expected during the both sets of works.

As part of the bridge project the speed limit on the approach to the Athlone bypass bridge will be reduced from 100km per hour to just 60km for the duration and traffic management will be put in place on-site.