Work starts on long-awaited IDA road

Work has commenced on a new entrance road to the IDA Business and Technology Park in Athlone.

The road will alleviate significant traffic congestion at the sole exit and entrance to the park, onto the old Dublin Road in Athlone.
And it will also open up significant IDA owned lands to the northwest of the Business and Technology Park for future development – holding the prospect of further foreign direct investment companies locating in Athlone.
The circa 300-metre road will connect the existing internal road network in the IDA Business and Technology Park with the new roundabout on the R916 between Cypress Gardens and Athlone IT.
The R916 connects the Cornamaddy roundabout with the Wash House Turn roundabout on the old Dublin Road just past AIT.
There is currently a stub road extending to the east from this roundabout. 
This will provide the connection to the 293 metre road currently being developed. It will link with the existing IDA park close to the Teleflex facility.
The road, was granted planning permission in late January last, and construction got underway in the last fortnight or so.
The road will comprise a seven-metre wide two-lane carriageway with grass verges, paved footways and a two-lane cycle track; together with public lighting and underground services. The road will be mainly in cut but will involve an embankment incorporating a 1.8m high and 2.1m wide culvert for the River Al.