The seven-week traffic closure on Church Street will get underway after St Patrick’s Day, councillors were informed at this week’s meeting of the Athlone Municipal District.
The council handed Church Street over to the appointed contractor, John Craddock Ltd, this week (March 5 ) as the next phase of the €3m enhancement project begins.
During this phase, traffic will be diverted onto The Strand to allow sections of works to be carried out on Church Street while maintaining vehicle and pedestrian access throughout the street.
However, at the junction of Griffith Street with Dublingate Street, such diversions cannot be facilitated and only local access to Church Street will be maintained. This means that Church Street will be closed to through traffic for seven weeks.
Traffic management measures will be put in place by the contractor and local access to Church Street and access to The Strand will be via Custume Place.
Traffic travelling westbound from John Broderick Street, Sean Costello Street, St Mary’s Square, Grace Park Road and at The Crescent will follow the Orange Loop on Gleeson Street to Southern Station Road and Northgate Street.
District manager Pat Keating informed Monday’s meeting that the seven-week closure will be the single most disruptive period of the entire Church Street project.
He added that the contractor is currently working on elements of works programme, after which he will send more details regarding a traffic management plan to the council for approval.
