OnoMatopee schreef op 19 september 2023 12:22:
Bam appointed to build long-awaited €20M transport corridor in Dublin suburbs
13 SEP, 2023 BY ROB HAKIMIAN
Bam Civil has been appointed by Fingal County Council to construct a €20M (£17.2M) transport corridor featuring a 1.9km road between Ongar and Barnhill in the west Dublin suburbs.
The road will be 1km dualled and 0.9km single carriageway. It will feature a new bridge over the Dunboyne railway, three new roundabouts and two new crossroads. It will also feature walking and cycling provisions.
Work commencement was marked with a turning of the sod ceremony on Friday 8 September, with Bam Civil starting on site on Monday 11 September. The scheme is expected to take around two years to complete.
Creation of this transport corridor has been a “long-standing objective” of Fingal County Council as it will improve accessibility for sustainable and active travel modes. It will connect Ongar and Barnhill for better access to schools, homes, amenities and shopping.
It will also support the council’s plans for new homes in the area by providing new access to surrounding areas of residentially zoned land.
The road network in the area is described as “largely rural”, so the creation of modern infrastructure will improve safety both now and in the future as it becomes more developed.
The transport corridor is in line with the Barnhill Local Area Plan (LAP), which was adopted by Fingal County Council in 2019, as it will “underpin the sustainable development of significant residential development within those LAP plans”.
The scheme will also provide walking and cycling links to the Royal Canal Greenway and the Dmastown Clonsilla Cycle Route, forming an important part of the Greater Dublin Area cycle network.
The scheme has been designed by Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates and will complement the future development of Dart+ - the expansion of multi-modal transit options in the Greater Dublin Area.
Fingal County Council senior engineer Paul Carroll said: “The Ongar-Barnhill Road will satisfy a number of needs in the area. It will provide quicker, safer journeys on foot or by bike to schools and homes in Ongar and Barnhill, it will connect local routes to the beautiful Royal Canal Greenway and most importantly it will open new space to essential housing development at a time when housing is in high demand. These are all objectives that we are very happy to be addressing as we get construction underway today.”
Mayor of Fingal Adrian Henchy said: “Developing new housing within the Barnhill Local Area Plan lands depends on access being provided to the area. This new road will not only make it easier to travel to local schools for those already living here, it will also open the door to new housing development taking place in Dublin 15 so that families looking for a place to live can make their home within this wonderful community.”
Fingal County Council chief executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “We are again using our infrastructure-first approach. By providing very high-quality roads, paths, and cycle lanes the area benefits immediately from better connectivity and when future housing development begins those homes will already be connected to the community and all the facilities that exist here such as sports centres, childcare, schools, and shops.”
Bam Ireland executive director Alasdair Henderson said: “Bam is delighted to continue working with Fingal County Council and Clifton Scannell Emerson on this project which will enhance connectivity, promote Active Travel in the community, and facilitate the strategic development of this area for housing development.”