Major safety works in place as new Mayo upgraded N17 junction officially opens
Three lives were lost in a collision at the location some years ago
Minister of State, Dara Calleary, has today officially opened the new N17/R320 Lisduff Upgrade Road Project.
The Ballina-based TD performed the ceremony alongside Councillor Michael Loftus, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.
The upgraded junction is the largest project funded to date by Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Safety Section.
The junction upgrade will see a reduction of direct access and the elimination of right hand turns on the N17 in the vicinity of the upgrade, improving safety for all road users by reducing the frequency and severity of collisions.
The location had been identified as a High Collision Location in 2018 by a TII collision cluster analysis and a feasibility study followed which recommended this new improvement scheme.
The project has seen the construction of in total 0.85km of link roads and an overbridge constructed over the N17, along with the installation of two roundabouts and the closure of the existing N17/L/5565-0 Mellick More Road junction.
Mayo County Council’s National Roads Office (NRO) managed the project, which was guided by a steering group that comprised of the members of the NRO, Barry Transportation Consulting and senior management from Mayo County Council and TII.
The construction contract was awarded to BAM Ltd in November 2021, and they oversaw the construction of the scheme.
Minister Calleary stated: "As many in the community will know this is a much-needed upgrade and I want to acknowledge what has been the driving force for this - greater road safety for all road users.
"Road collisions have a devastating impact on individuals, their families, and their communities.
"This area has seen a number of dangerous collisions that has unfortunately led to serious injury and tragically the loss of life, most recently in 2017, but I hope the improvements made under the upgrade will reduce collisions and make this road safer for all.
"I thank all those involved to deliver this important upgrade, and whose work and dedication will result in greater road safety.
Councillor Loftus added: "This may seem like a minor piece of infrastructure to those who do not know much about this scheme, but the improvements that this will bring to road safety in this area and the county in general is something that I am delighted to see.
"The N17 is a major artery in and out of Mayo and sees thousands of vehicles using it every day, we had a very unfortunate tragic accident at this location in 2017, where three people lost their lives and if even just one life is saved in the future thanks to this upgrade it will have been a worthwhile investment for the county.
The chief executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, paid tribute to everybody involved in this project - in particular the 22 landowners who were affected by it and all the local population who were behind this project from its inception right up to its delivery