A deal has been struck for the construction of Phase 1 of the Edenderry Inner Relief Road project in Co Offaly.

Tower Civil Engineering has signed a construction contract for the first phase of the project, which will see the development of a new link road from Clonmullen linking across to the St Conleth's Road (R401) via Clonmeen Rise. It also includes the realignment of the R401 / Gleann Na Carraige improving access westward toward Fr. McWey Street. This link will enable traffic coming from the Dublin Road (R402) to access the north side of Edenderry Town without having to use the severely congested Main JKL Street.

Recent traffic counts conducted by Offaly County Council have found that approximately 18,000 vehicles daily travel through Edenderry on the R402, an extremely high volume exceeding many National routes. Surveys carried out on behalf of Offaly County Council found that traffic is the number one issue for residents of Edenderry. In response, Offaly Council Council secured Part 8 Planning for Edenderry Inner Relief Road project in March 2019.

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Speaking at the contract signing, Anna-Marie Delaney Chief Executive Offaly County Council expressed her thanks for the support of elected representatives and the work carried out by the technical team to advance this highly significant project. Ms Delaney identified this project as being of strategic importance to Edenderry, and is pleased to see this key objective of the Local Area Plan delivered. She also praised the many positive developments in Edenderry in recent years, mentioning the Library development, public realm projects, Grand Canal Greenway enhancement and pipeline of Blundell Masterplan projects emerging.

Design has recently been complete for Phase 2 which would link Fr. McWey Street, at the rear of the Dunnes Shopping Centre, to Eden Business Campus providing a route onwards to Rhode via the R441.

The Department of Transport provided the funding of approximately €2.5 million for this crucial link. Chief Designer Michael Mullarkey is among the team working to advance Phase 2 to construction.

During project development, detailed analysis found that reducing traffic on the R402 through Edenderry would provide many economic benefits: improving transport efficiency through reduced journey times, improving the attractiveness of Edenderry Town as a place to shop and do business in and improving transport reliability in the town. Offaly County Council has actively explored the environmental benefits to reduced traffic, currently collaborating with the EPA and UCC in a cutting edge project assessing air quality. The local authority has also prioritised the inclusion of quality cycle-ways within Edenderry Inner Relief. This will provide a boost to the development of an expanding cycling network currently being planned through Active Travel initiatives.