Green light for major Athlone link road
A new link road from Cornamaddy to Coosan is to go ahead after a major funding announcement yesterday (Tuesday).
The circa 2.2km road has now been approved by Government under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund. The road is expected to cost up to €20m.
There has been a widespread welcome for the funding approval with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke saying the road would directly unlock lands for approximately 2,500 residential units and support the delivery of a further 2,100 homes in the wider area.
Also hailing the funding, Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran said: “The new relief road will not only help to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity, but it will also support the future growth and development of Athlone as a key regional centre.”
Details of the proposed route of the new road have not yet been announced.
However, the Athlone Town Development Plan 2014 – 2020 indicates an indicative route from the Cornamaddy roundabout across the Cornamagh Road and onto the Coosan Road (L-1478, the road from Coosan Church to Coosan Point).
The indicative route of that strategic link road sees it join the L-1478 close to where the Bog Road from Hillquarter to Coosan connects with the L-1478.
The Cornamaddy to Coosan Link Road has been approved under Call 1 of the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, a €1 billion Government initiative designed to provide the infrastructure needed to accelerate housing delivery across the country.
Although details of a timeline for the new road have not been announced, Call 1 is designed to support the delivery of infrastructure projects that can commence construction in 2026 or 2027 and be substantially complete by 2028.
Minister Burke said the investment reflects a coordinated approach to infrastructure delivery in Athlone, ensuring the town can continue to grow in a planned and sustainable way.
"This is a really significant infrastructure investment for Athlone and for the wider Midlands region," he said.
“It will help unlock over 4,500 homes when combined with surrounding lands, ensuring that housing can be delivered at scale."
"These are the types of enabling projects that make a real difference on the ground. By providing the road infrastructure, alongside recent investment in drainage and active travel, we are removing the barriers that have held back housing delivery and supporting Athlone’s continued growth as a key regional centre."
Minister of State Kevin “Boxer” Moran said the long-awaited project, which has been in development for a number of years, would “provide a new link from the Cornamaddy Roundabout to the Bounty area of Athlone” and create an important additional access route into the town and helping to improve traffic movement across the wider Athlone area.
Minister Moran also highlighted the strong active travel elements incorporated into the scheme, including dedicated cycling infrastructure, enhanced pedestrian facilities, public lighting, and a dedicated bus corridor.
“Importantly, this project is about more than just cars. The inclusion of a dedicated bus corridor, cycle lanes and safe, well-lit pedestrian facilities reflects our commitment to providing sustainable transport options and encouraging more people to choose active travel where possible.”
“This investment will deliver real benefits for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors alike, while helping to create a safer, more accessible and better-connected Athlone.”
Minister Moran congratulated all those involved in bringing the project to this stage and said he looked forward to seeing further progress on what he described as a transformative piece of infrastructure for Athlone and the wider Midlands region.