N73 work to start in September

APPROXIMATELY €1.5m has been allocated for preparation work on long-awaited improvements to the N73 which are due to commence in September.

While councillors were assured by Council Roads Director Pádraig Barrett that the work would begin on the long term solution in September, they were also keen to point out that the surface of the road was so bad at present that emergency interim works should be carried out.

“I think some signs should be put in the interim as a warning as I know some road users have had issues with wear and tear on their cars as well bursting tyres,” Cllr Deirdre O’Brien said during Monday’s meeting of the Northern Area committee of Cork County Council.

Cllr Kay Dawson said that she believed the surface was so bad that something needed to be done now. “I don’t think it will last until September

- the amount of phonecalls I’m getting on the surface is phenomenal as it seems to have really deteriorated with all the rain and frost.

“The surface is in such a bad state that it’s not like driving on a road in parts.”

Cllr Frank O’Flynn described the stretch of road as ‘ by far the worst section of road’ in all of Ireland’.

“This is going on now for the best part of twelve long years,” he said , recalling the decision to pull funding in October 2019 which delayed a start scheduled for Spring last year. The councillor welcomed the assurance that money had been allocated to allow the works commence in September/October this year.

The proposed works on the 5km stretch of road is expected to cost €10-12m with a considerable portion being earmarked for land acquisition and legal fees.

Pedestrian pathways and a cycle route will also be incorporated in the new design.