Contact Autumn 2005

OPENING OF RELIEF ROAD GREAT BOOST FOR SLIGO

The largest roads project undertaken by the Sligo Local Authorities comes to fruition this week with the official opening of the Inner Relief Road. The €74m project has been universally welcomed by civic, business and tourist interests, and is a landmark development in terms of the transport infrastructure in Sligo.

Minister Martin Cullen, TD, will perform the official opening on Friday morning next, accompanied by the Mayor Councillor Rosaleen O' Grady, Cathaoirleach Councillor Patsy Barry, members and former members of the Sligo Local Authorities, and representatives of the E U, National Roads Authority and Department of Transport.

The 4.5km road runs from the Carraroe roundabout south of Sligo to Michael Hughes Bridge north of the city centre. The urban section of the road (from Summerhill College to Hughes Bridge) will have signalled controlled junctions and will provide excellent access to the town centre. This will greatly enhance the urban environment and will make Sligo a more pleasant and amenable environment for people who reside, work in, or visit the city.

HIGH STANDARDS

Mayor Rosaleen O Grady commended the project team who ‘delivered this road to the highest standard many months ahead of schedule. They can be enormously proud of their achievement. I also want to pay tribute to elected members of successive councils who debated this project for many years. While many diverse opinions were articulated in the Council Chamber, we were united in the common objective of providing a proper road infrastructure for Sligo.’

The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Patsy Barry sees the opening of the road ‘as a catalyst for a series of other developments, particularly in the context of our gateway status. Many prospective investors will welcome the delivery of this project as evidence that Sligo is developing an excellent road infrastructure, one that will meet the demands of commercial and private traffic.’

Sligo County Manager Hubert Kearns feels that ‘a proper road network is an essential prerequisite to growth. Sligo is portraying an image of a progressive, confident and vibrant city. The opening of the new road will underpin many future developments, and will facilitate access to major tracts of land in the western part of the borough.’

IDA Regional Manager Joe McHugh feels the new road ‘ will help position Sligo as the premier economic gateway of the northwest region. Sligo has made significant progress in recent years and the IDA is anxious that this progress is maintained – the official opening of the Inner Relief Road, coupled with the future provision of the W2 route, will cement Sligo’s status as an attractive place to live, work and do business.’