Sinn Féin TD for Galway East, Louis O’Hara, has welcomed confirmation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII ) that the Stop-Go lights on the N65 at Heathlawn, which have been in place for almost two years, will be removed in June.
Geraldine Fitzpatrick, TII’s Director of Capital Programmes, gave the assurance to Teachta O’Hara at a meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday.
A temporary culvert will be put in place to safely allow cars to pass on both sides, while the works necessary to fully repair the road will take place later in the year.
In response to questions from O’Hara, Ms Fitzpatrick told the Oireachtas Committee:
“We’ve been engaging with the County Council and they’re going to put temporary measures in place while procurement is ongoing to allow the removal of the traffic lights.
“That is to happen next month and they’re looking to put in place a temporary measure so that the stop-go system can be removed.
“It’s a kind of temporary culvert to be put in place, support for the culvert so that the protection that’s there can be removed to allow the two-way movement.
“Meanwhile the full procurement is ongoing. The design should be completed and the procurement will happen in September with a view to construction of the ultimate solution later in the year.
Speaking after the meeting, Teachta O’Hara welcomed the commitment that the lights will finally be removed, but expressed frustration that the whole process has taken almost two years:
“Tens of thousands of euros have been spent on operating these temporary lights while road users have experienced ongoing delays and frustration as a result.
“I welcome the commitment given by TII that these lights will be removed next month and look forward to seeing two-way traffic safely begin again on this stretch of road after almost two years.
“This should not have dragged on for this length of time and this temporary solution could and should have been implemented before now.
“It is important that the overall scheme and ultimate solution to repair the road is progressed as quickly as possible and I will continue to hold TII to account on this,” he concluded.
