THE Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD, has officially opened the new Listowel Bypass which will divert 7,000 vehicles per day away from Listowel town centre and which will greatly enhance infrastructure and accessibility in north Kerry.

The €62m N69 Listowel Bypass is a six-kilometre western and northern bypass of Listowel town centre and consists of approximately 3.6km of new road, 2.3km of on-line improvement of the existing network and 1.5km of new roundabouts and improvements at junctions.

The Taoiseach was joined at the official opening by the Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, the Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and local landowners who facilitated the construction of the road.

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Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald described it a historic day for the county: “Traffic congestion in Listowel has long been identified as hampering transport and commercial activity. The bypass will divert some 250 heavy goods vehicles away from the town centre each day which will also greatly enhance the safety of motorists and pedestrians in the town.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “This new road is a major boost for north Kerry in terms of transport, accessibility, commercial activity and tourism. It greatly improves movement across the region including along the busy N69 road between Listowel and Limerick. My government is committed to delivering projects such as this across the country with the support of local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.”

The designers of the scheme were Jacobs Engineering (Dublin) and the main contractor was Wills Brothers (Mayo). The project was overseen by the Kerry National Roads Office (Kerry County Council).

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