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Next Phase Of €10m Scheme To Improve Dangerous Milltown-Killorglin Road To Commence

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Pictured with Cllr Michael O’Shea at the Kilderry Bends on the N70, Franck Guérineau (centre) and Paul Curry of the Kerry National Road Design Office.

THE next phase of the €10million N70 Kilderry Bends Improvement Scheme will commence next week with the closing of tenders for the archaeological test trenching and resolution contract for the project.

The improvement scheme includes the provision of a new 3.5km section of the N70 between Milltown and Killorglin. The scheme’s primary objective is to resolve safety issues on a number of dangerous bends on the busy national route.

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Following a period of public consultation, Part 8 planning approval was granted by Kerry County Council in 2014. The Compulsory Purchase Order was confirmed in 2016 and good progress is being made with the land acquisition agreements. RPS Consulting Engineers were appointed to develop the scheme and final design and tender documents which are nearing completion.

The tender for the main contract is expected to be published before September. The scheme is being developed in Kerry National Road Design Office where Franck Guérineau is the Project Manager.

Archaeological test trenching is scheduled to be carried out during the months of August and September 2017. It is anticipated that the construction of the scheme will commence in 2018.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea said the scheme was a critical one for the mid-Kerry area and for the entire county.

“Unfortunately, this section of road has been the site of a number of accidents over the years and I am delighted that a new road is now being provided. This will greatly improve safety for all road users and will improve journey times for those travelling between north and south Kerry. Over 6,500 vehicles will be using the new road,” said Cllr O’Shea.

“Councillors and management of the Council will be pursuing the government and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the funding for this project and I look forward to further progress on this important scheme at the earliest opportunity.”

Caption: Pictured with Cllr Michael O’Shea at the Kilderry Bends on the N70, Franck Guérineau (centre) and Paul Curry of the Kerry National Road Design Office.