The route connects a number of key residential, educational, retail, recreational, and employment destinations, including Gateway Retail Park, several office developments, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and Galway Bohemians FC. It also provides an important link to the Western Distributor Road corridor, which serves a significant employment, education, and retail catchmentarea.
The scheme was designed in line with the current publications of all applicable design guidance and has been delivered to provide improved active travel infrastructure and road safety improvements. Enhancements include:
- Continuous pedestrian facilities including 750m of new footpath on the eastern extent;
- Segregated cycle facilities with red coloured surface on each side of the road;
- 4 no. raised zebra crossings;
- Continuous active travel facilities at 7 no. side roads;
- 6m carriageway width (3.0m lane in each direction); and
- All associated ancillary works including landscaping, signage, drainage, public lighting, CPO process for landtake etc.
Notably, the scheme design incorporates a 300mm wide separator kerb with a splayed profile to allow for a forgiving cycle interface. This is the first of its kind in Galway and is intended to be rolled out throughout the city.
The schemes 14-metre-wide cross-section comprising 2.0m footpaths, 2.0m cycle tracks, and 3.0m traffic lanes in each direction is also wholly compliant to standard and serves as a model piece of infrastructure.
The project has been delivered to create a more attractive, people-first public realm, helping to transform the former car-centric environment. It has been overwhelming positively received by the local residents and has provided a valued community asset to the locality.
The project was delivered by the Active Travel Department of Galway City Council and was co-funded by the National Transport Authority through the Government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
