New Mayo railway overbridge to address N60 safety issues

PLANS for a road realignment and rail overbridge on the N60 at Cuilbeg and Belesker, Claremorris, have been approved by local councillors.

The works will involve the construction of a new railway overbridge with approximately 700 metres of road realignment at the location.

With plans approved by the council, it's now over to Iarnród Éireann to put the project in place, with hopes to see progress on that in 2026 or '27.

John Kearns of the roads design office briefed councillors on a planning application for the works over the Dublin-Westport railway line at the monthly Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting.

There are serious safety issues at the location at the moment, where a stone wall is regularly struck by vehicles on the road, he outlined.

In public consultation, one submission was received from a land owner and following liaison with them, the issue raised can be addressed at the detailed design stage, he said.

Councillor Richard Finn said this has been going on for years but now there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. It will be major progress in terms of health and safety.

Lives have been lost at the bridge, which has been the scene of many accidents, said Councillor Patsy O'Brien.

Users of the bridge can't see anything until they are on top of it and it's too late and this, he said, is 'a great news story'.

As someone who uses the route every day travelling between Ballyhaunis and Claremorris, Councillor Alma Gallagher described it as an 'accident hotspot' and she also remembered the people who have died there.

There is, she continued, a lot of history attached to the bridge and the vacant station house just below. And she often thought there was stories to be recorded there about emigration, etcetera.

Councillor Gallagher noted that as our transport system tries to improve there is more emphasis now on how Irish Rail can improve bridges and accesses. There is great partnership and collaboration and she would like to see more of that in terms of other bridges in the district.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Damien Ryan asked for a timeframe on when the works might start.

Mr. Kearns said it will include a technical approval process with Irish Rail which will now start and that can take some time. They would be hoping for 2026 or '27 at the latest, all going well.