Kildare County Council Awards Contract for Athy Distributor Road Development
Works to begin onsite in the coming weeks
(Press release Kildare County Council:) Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland, 14 October 2021 - Kildare County Council has confirmed the main works contract for the Athy Distributor Road has been awarded to BAM Civil Limited. The successful contractor for the development of the 3.4 km link road has been appointed following an extensive tender process and recent confirmation of funding for the project by the Department of Transport as part of Project Ireland 2040.
The new Athy Distributor Road, upon completion will include the provision of two new roundabouts, new signalised cross-roads junctions, approx. 3.4 km of footpath and cycleway as well as the construction of an 80 m single span steel bridge over the River Barrow. The existing railway bridge crossing the River Barrow will be re-purposed as a pedestrian cycle bridge.
The development of the detailed plans and design for the project comprised of extensive public consultation at all key stages of the route selection process and through to final design. Upon completion the Athy Distributor Road will alleviate traffic congestion, creating a safer travel environment in Athy as well as reducing journey times and improving public transport accessibility. The project is fully funded by the Department of Transport.
Welcoming the announcement, Sonya Kavanagh, Interim Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, said: ‘Kildare County Council is delighted to have reached this important milestone. This is a significant infrastructure project and with the main works contract now in place we are keen to see it come to fruition for the people of Athy and Kildare as a whole. We are grateful for the engagement during the public consultation phase and look forward to delivering this project which is an important part of our commitment to provide and enable infrastructure for a connected county.’
Commenting on the announcement, BAM Ireland CEO Theo Cullinane, said: ‘As a local company headquartered in Kill, BAM is delighted to have been appointed by Kildare County Council to deliver this vital project for Athy The distributor road will alleviate congestion in Athy’s beautiful historic centre, reduce journey times significantly in the area and provide a wonderful amenity along the Barrow. In recent years we have also completed the Athy water treatment plant as well as Osberstown WWTP Upgrade and Ballymore Eustace WTP. BAM has a long track record of providing important road network infrastructure around the country and as a recognised global leader in sustainability we will be bringing all of our international expertise to complete this project efficiently, safely and with environmental considerations to the fore.’
It is expected that works will commence onsite in the next number of weeks with the initial works comprising of site setup, site clearance, fencing works and utility diversions.