The “critically deficient” N59 from Galway to Clifden is finally set for a radical upgrade, after funding was made available by the National Roads Authority for preliminary planning, the Connacht Tribune can exclusively reveal.

This newspaper has learned that the 30-mile stretch of narrow, winding road from Oughterard to Clifden is set for an overhaul, after it was earmarked by the NRA as one of just two ‘upgrade’ projects in the country.

Next year, the multi-million euro project is set to move to ‘pole position’, being given priority over other roads schemes.
And funding has also been set aside for planning the Moycullen Bypass, as well as for realignment works at Derrylea, just outside Clifden.

The funding comes as part of an overall €180 million allocation by the NRA for roads programmes across Galway in 2010.

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív has confirmed to the Connacht Tribune that €950,000 has been allocated this year for planning the upgrade of the N59 from Oughterard to Clifden, while funding for the project is likely to be made available next year or in 2012.

A further €1.8m has been allocated for work at Derrylea, two miles outside Clifden, €1m for planning the Moycullen Bypass and €200,000 for work at Roscahill.

He explained that after several years of campaigning, the NRA had decided to draw up an overall strategy for the Oughterard to Clifden road, rather than approaching it in a mile-by-mile, piecemeal fashion.
“The NRA did a survey of national secondary routes and are now looking at drawing up complete end-to-end plans for large stretches. The plan is to select routes and start long stretches.

“Two routes have been selected. Clifden to Oughterard and Dingle to Tralee, and this €950,000 will go towards the preliminary planning for the N59.

“This will see a systematic approach to the radical upgrade end-to-end from Clifden to Oughterard. I’ve been working on getting this new systematic model to be used for three years, and these are dramatic results.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.