With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions Galway County Council is making progess on a significant road safety project on the N59 at Letterfrack in Connemara.
Over the last three years €2.3 million, including €1.3 million this year, has been secured from National Roads’ Funding for the widening of the N59 including at Letterfrack, near the entrance to Connemara National Park.
The project involves a new cycle and pedestrian path segregated from the main road, new footpath with tactile paving at the pedestrian crossing with a new central island, new kerb lines along with clearer safety signage.
I am delighted to see the progress by the County Council, on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to make this busy section of the N59 safer for everyone.
Located at the entrance to Connemara National Park, near Letterfrack, this particular section of the main road has posed a great danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers due to poor visibility. The new works will improve sightlines and visibility and make the road safer for all road-users.
I want to especially commend the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the team at Connemara National Park for donating land as well as local councillor Eileen Mannion whose work to highlight this safety issue helped to enable the project proceed.
While the project has required the removal of trees near the entrance of the Park, following my representations the National Park team has identified an area of similar size on which native woodland trees will be planted this year. The tree planting is in addition to the ongoing programme carried out by the dedicated team at Connemara National Park.
Seán Kyne 