New section of Athlone cycleway opens to public tomorrow

A long-awaited extension to the cycleway in Athlone town will open to the public tomorrow, Friday.

The 1.1km section from the White Gates (Ballymahon Road) to Athlone Marina is the first new section of cycleway to open in the town in five years.

The route takes in the new railway underpass at Montree, beneath the Dublin to Galway train line, which was installed in Easter 2019 at a cost of approximately €4 million.

A ceremony was scheduled to take place on Monday to officially open this section of cycleway, and also to 'turn the sod' to mark the beginning of construction on the cycleway bridge over the River Shannon.

Westmeath County Council said today that, "due to unforeseen circumstances" this event had now been postponed by a week, to Monday, October 11.

It's expected to be attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, and the Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Frankie Keena.

A contact of approximately €13 million was awarded to the Meath-based firm Jons Civil Engineering Ltd for the construction of the bridge, which is due to open by Easter 2023.