LATEST: Opening date revealed for new bypass of notorious Kildare bottleneck

A long-awaited bypass of a notorious bottleneck in Co Kildare is to be be officially opened to traffic on October 31.

The new 3.4km Athy Distributor Road, which had an original cost of €27m, is funded by the Department of Transport under Project Ireland 2040.

The scheme will radically reduce traffic congestion and travel times for local residents, commuters and tourists - especially during events such as the Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships. 

The scheme includes 4.8km of combined walking and cycling infrastructure including a repurposed railway bridge over the River Barrow. Also featured are two new roundabouts and signalised junctions.

A Kildare County Council spokesperson said: "The opening of Athy Distributor Road will alleviate traffic congestion and allow for the reallocation of road space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport thus reinvigorating the centre of Athy.

"The scheme will also create a safer travel environment in Athy as well as reducing journey times and improving public transport accessibility."

Local TD and Minister of State Martin Heydon said: "After so much effort, carried out by so many, down through the years, this will be a very significant day for all residents and businesses in Athy and those who drive in or through the town.

"A new beginning for businesses and residents in Athy will follow this opening as through traffic will be taken off the main streets of Athy."

"I wish to congratulate the engineers and officials in Kildare County Council and the contractors who have ultimately delivered this road project many months ahead of the schedule set down when we turned the sod on this road last year.”

The Council said: "The new Athy Distributor Road is a 3.4km road that commences east of Athy and provides a southern bypass of the existing town. The scheme includes 4.8km of combined walking and cycling infrastructure including a repurposed railway bridge over the River Barrow, two new roundabouts, new signalised junctions at the Carlow Road and Fortbarrington Road, an 80m single span steel bridge over the River Barrow and a new railway bridge over the Dublin to Waterford railway line.

"The scheme also includes various permeability measures with links provided to Corran Ard, Branswood and Dun Brinn housing estates along with a link to the Barrow Blueway and the River Barrow towpath. The scheme also provides a new link to the train station and to the area north of the Castledermot Road roundabout.

"The opening of Athy Distributor Road will alleviate traffic congestion and allow for the reallocation of road space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport thus reinvigorating the centre of Athy. The scheme will also create a safer travel environment in Athy as well as reducing journey times and improving public transport accessibility.  The project is fully funded by the Department of Transport under Project Ireland 2040."