Tullamore sees progress on key infrastructure projects

A new pedestrian crossing is currently taking shape on Convent View, Tullamore. The granite-paved crossing was grouted last week on one side of the road and is now in the crucial setting stage.

Speaking at the May meeting of the Tullamore Municipal District, Senior Executive Engineer Joe Dooley explained that these crossings require 5 to 7 days to fully set. Once that’s complete, traffic will resume on one side of the road while construction continues on the other. He was responding to a query from Councillor Aoife Masterson.

Meanwhile, the pedestrian crossing on nearby Convent Road has been completed, though a one-way traffic system remains in place until the surface finishes setting.

Elsewhere in town, the footpath along the southern side of Kilbeggan Bridge—also recently paved and grouted—is now open to pedestrians.

Work on the Tanyard Link is moving forward, despite a few setbacks. Mr Dooley noted delays caused by the ESB who need to move a pole at the entrance near Oisín O’Sullivan’s property. During the process, the ESB identified the need for a vault upgrade, which is scheduled to begin on May 21 and will take two to three days. “We cannot complete the kerbing until that work is done,” he added.

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Upgrades are also visible along Tanyard Lane, where improvements to the footpath in front of Tarleton Mews Houses have been completed. Councillor Declan Harvey raised concerns about accessibility for a resident who uses a wheelchair. Mr Dooley responded that he had spoken with the woman and she seems satisfied with the new layout.

As for future developments, architects are still refining the design for the planned Library-to-Church Street pedestrian link. Mr Dooley hopes to present a draft to councillors at the next district meeting before it goes to public consultation.

Finally, a tender for works at Acres Folly is expected to go out later this month.