Concerns that Terryland Forest Park could be traversed by a link road to address major traffic issues at the Kirwan Roundabout were allayed, somewhat, at City Hall on Tuesday.
Members were discussing submissions that had arisen during public consultation on the draft City Development Plan 2017-2023.
The roundabout at the Menlo Park Hotel has been a significant thorn in the side of the local authority, which has been attempting to find a solution for years.
With Bóthar na dTreabh bringing the majority of traffic from the Dublin and Tuam Roads, combined with large volumes from the Headford Road, Liosban Industrial Estate/Sandy Road, Menlo, and from the City Centre, it has become a major pinch point on the city’s road network.
The City Development Plan included a specific objective to provide a new link road between Liosban to Bothar na dTreabh, which Cllr Mark Lohan feared would run through Terryland Forest Park.
Director of Services, Joe O’Neill, told members that this would be one solution in revising the problems at the Kirwan roundabout.
“It might not come to that at all, there were discussions as late as this week to address that junction,” he said.
“It is something that may or may not happen, I can’t say any more. It was one possible way of trying to get five (lanes) into four at Kirwan Roundabout.
“That whole thing has been revisited at this point, and it may not be necessary to go with the Liosban option, any decision will be under Part 8, and will have to come back before you.”
Senior Engineer, Uinsinn Finn, told members that this process will likely take place in the second quarter of 2017.