An official sod-turning event has marked the commencement of construction on the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme in County Galway.

Coffey Construction Ltd was appointed as principal contractors for the project by Galway City Council following a competitive tender process. Meanwhile, AtkinsRéalis are the consultant engineers on the project which is scheduled for completion in Quarter 3, 2026. 

Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Níall McNelis, welcomed the scheme as he performed the ceremonial sod turning. He said: "This is a milestone project in the development of cycling and walking infrastructure in Galway. It will serve a large local community, as well as the considerable population of students and workers in this area."

In full, the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme will include:

• The provision of a 2m raised adjacent cycle track and 2m footpath on both sides of Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road, reducing in places where constraints exist.

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• Reduction in road carriageway widths (typically 3m wide lanes).

• Junction realignments and the introduction of raised crossings on all side roads to prioritise pedestrian movements.

• Straight through cycle lane/track crossings on all side road junctions to prioritise cyclists' movements.

• The provision of signalised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Upgrading of the R865 Ballybane Road / L5029 Castlepark Road junction and L5029 Castlepark Road / R339 Monivea Road junction to signalised junctions with provision for pedestrians and cyclists.

• The introduction of pedestrian and shared crossing points at several locations.

• The provision of landscaping along the routes. 

This project is being delivered by the Active Travel Department of Galway City Council. It is co-funded by the National Transport Authority and the government's Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. 

Construction will take place along the length of Ballybane Road, between Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Monivea Road, and the entirety of Castlepark Road between Ballybane Road and Monivea Road. 

This area includes ATU and a host of other commercial, industrial and community facilities. The scheme also serves a large community of residents living in the vicinity of both roads. 

The Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme will connect with the future BusConnects Galway: Dublin Road project, which will deliver a significant enhancement of bus infrastructure along the entire length of Dublin Road. 

A consent application for this project has recently been submitted to An Bord Pleanála. A separate future cycling route is also planned in the coming years for Monivea Road.