Athlone's Church Street to open in early December

The Church Street enhancement project is slightly behind schedule, members of Athlone Municipal District were told last week, but whether it is fully finished or not the street will be open by early December.

In terms of the schedule, District Engineer Pat Nally admitted they are a “little out” at the moment following a question from Cllr Paul Hogan asking whether the project will be complete by the week of December 8 as earlier promised to traders and businesses. He said it's important that the commitment is honoured, adding that feedback so far is very welcome and the workmanship on the scheme is second to none.
Even it means coming back in early January, that's what should happen, although they should continue to push to get it finished on time, Cllr John Dolan commented, adding that even those against it initially now agree it is a good job.
He complimented the contractors, something that was echoed by Mayor Frankie Keena, who repeated the need for the project to completed and open in early December. He added that he understood there would be a major marketing promotion put in place to coincide with the opening of the new street.
In response to the queries, Pat Nally, District Engineer, told members that if something is outstanding after December 8, the contractors will come back after Christmas to finish it, pointing out it is written into the contract and nothing can interfere with that stipulation. He conceded that the council had added extra work into the project.
Earlier, new District Manager Jackie Finney had said the project was “progressing well” as she outlined the work completed to date and the next programme of works for the coming weeks.
Until November 19, through traffic has been diverted from Church Street down Griffith Street to exit via Bridge Street and Custume Place. There will be no access to Lloyd's Lane onto Church Street, she said.
To date, footpath paving has been completed up to Burgess and the raised pavement at Custume Place is now finished and open to traffic, Ms Finney added, saying that footpath paving around the raised pavement will be completed by the end of November. Footpath paving to the north of the raised pavement is set to be completed by early December.
Elsewhere, the meeting was told that the enhanced pavement works, asphalt, limestone kerbs, granite slabs and sets have been completed from Griffith Street to Lloyds Lane. Public lighting and bollards have been erected to completed areas and planters, seating and assorted street furniture will follow soon.
Works are currently ongoing at Custume Place in order for the carriageway between the Prince of Wales and Burgess to be concluded, Finney told the Athlone Municipal District meeting on Monday, thanking the local community for their patience and support during what she described as an “important development project”.