Urban Greenway completed in Tullamore praise for Upgrades

"You’ll all be disappointed to hear that the urban greenway is now complete, and there are no more roadworks on the Kilbeggan Bridge." That was the tongue-in-cheek announcement from Senior Executive Engineer Joe Dooley at the June meeting of Tullamore Municipal District.

The project, began last August, with a the stretch from behind the fire station to Srah Bridge and, as Mr. Dooley put it, “culminated in everything we see today.”

Councillors took the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Dooley on both the successful completion of the works and his recent appointment as Executive Engineer.

Councillor Oliver Bryant commended Mr. Dooley’s hands-on approach and praised the performance of the contractors involved. “They did an excellent job,” he said. “I wonder what people will talk about on social media now?”

Councillor Neil Feighery welcomed the finished project, noting the patience required during construction. “You can really see the benefit now. I have no hesitation driving down there to drop my child to playschool.”

Councillor Shane Murray added his appreciation, stating he crosses the Kilbeggan Bridge several times daily. “It looks fantastic,” he said. “As Councillor Bryant mentioned, Facebook might be a bit quieter now! Great work too on the Tayard Link, another major improvement.”

Councillor Sean O’Brien also praised the outcome and thanked Mr. Dooley for his commitment. He highlighted the safety of the newly enhanced pedestrian crossing on Kilbeggan Bridge, which had drawn criticism in the past. “It’s now a much safer crossing—clearly marked and equipped with flashing lights. It not only improves safety but also raises the overall standard of the town and supports local business.”

Director of Services Paul McLoughlin acknowledged the significant improvements and noted the quality and efficiency of the work. “There’s been great progress, and while there’s more to be done, the work so far has been great. I was pleasantly surprised by how little disruption there was to local businesses. This sets a positive model and should inspire confidence in future projects.”

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