Contractor being appointed for Athlone streetscape revamp

The process of appointing a contractor to carry out the planned revamp of Mardyke Street and part of Sean Costello Street in Athlone is currently underway, local councillors have been told.

The multi-million euro project in the centre of the town will include pedestrianising a 90-metre stretch of Sean Costello St, between Flannery's pub and Mardyke St.

The council said it received Departmental approval in December to proceed with the appointment of the contractor for the streetscape project.

At this month's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, local authority official Barry Kehoe said he was hopeful the appointment of the contractor would be completed in February.

He said the project would be on the agenda at either the February or March meetings of the Municipal District in order to provide more details about what the work on site would entail.

"We will give the members and the people of the town a briefing on what's involved with the construction programme, the timeline, and so on," said Mr Kehoe.

In early 2021, some €4.13m in Government funding was awarded for the streetscape revamp, which is also due to include the installation of new traffic signals and "enhanced pedestrian facilities" at the junction of Mardyke Street, Gleeson Street, Pump Lane and St Mary's Square.