Roundabout work will trigger traffic chaos

WORK on the upgrading of the Martin Roundabout – adjacent to Galway Clinic – is to begin this week, the City Council have confirmed.

The project – due to start this morning,  Monday, January 24 – will convert the existing roundabout into a four-armed signal-controlled junction and is scheduled for completion before the end of July.

Cycle lanes, bus priority measures, footpaths, a series of pedestrian crossings and landscaping will also be part of the estimated €5.5 million project.

A major traffic management plan for the area will be in place while the job is in progress with, according to the City Council, delays to traffic flows anticipated.

The City Council have said that traffic disruption will be ‘minimised as much as possible’ during the course of the works to be carried out by the Fox Building and Engineering company, which is headquartered in Omagh, Tyrone.

The Martin Roundabout is at the intersection of the R446 road between Oranmore and the Coolagh Roundabout; the Old Dublin Road; and the Link Road to the Galway Clinic.

Local councillor Terry O’Flaherty, told the Galway City Tribune, that the upgrade of the junction was most welcome news for local residents, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

“This really was a nightmare junction for all users and its upgrade is long overdue – it should make it a far safer place for pedestrians and for the staff and patients of Galway Clinic,” she said.

Another local councillor, Alan Cheevers, said that the footpath facilities alone for the people of the Roscam/Doughiska area would be a great advance.

“This is a badly needed project for this area. What I would caution though is that we learn from the mistakes that were made with the Kirwan Junction upgrade – we need to get this one right from the start,” said Cllr. Cheevers.