MOTORISTS ON N17 WILL BE DIVERTED
MOTORISTS are being advised to add time if travelling on the N17 today as the road is closed to facilitate works at Thornhill.
The closures are from 4am until 5pm with diversions through Ballymote.
Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer with Sligo County Council, said that it’s hoped the road will only be closed for one day. He told The Sligo Champion: “The works are being carried out to Thornhill bridge, there’s a fairly severe bend there and we’re endeavouring to soften the bend to reduce the severity of it at the bridge.”
He added that the contractor has been operating a lights stopgo system up to now but needs access to the full road to carry out the remaining work.
“This means traffic will be diverting, initially it was for three days but it’s hoped to have it finished in one.”
The closures are between 4am and 5pm.
“It’s very weather dependent and the contractor will be keeping a close eye on the weather in case it may have to be postponed to the next day.
“There will be very significant traffic management in place along the route.
“Motorists will be diverted in Tubbercurry onto the R294, which is the Gurteen- Boyle road and they will carry on to Ballymote where they will go back onto the N17 again and vice versa for motorists coming from the Sligo side.”
He added there will be significant signage up along the road., with flagmen also in place.
“We are advising motorists to add time to their journeys as they will be going through Ballymote. We are asking for the public’s patience and are expecting the closures to be in place for one day only, depending on how the works go.”
Mr Brennan said the aim is to begin the works early in the morning to get as much done when the roads are quieter.
“We are aiming to have as minimum impact as possible on the public. We were bearing in mind the Old Fair Day that’s coming up in Tubbercurry and with the schools closed as well, the morning rush- hour traffic on the road is not as busy.
These works in total are costing € 2m and include a 2km overlay on the Sligo side of the bridge.
“This included new surfacing to the road between Thornhill and the Ballymote road junction and are largely complete.
“It’s about making the approach to Thornhill bridge less severe.
“It has been the scene of a number of accidents and also two fatalities.
“The works are in response to accidents at the location in the past.
“The value is € 2m invested in the project, which began ear- lier this year and is approaching completion.
“Once done, there will be some roadworks still in place and we hope the work will be finished in the next few week,” Mr Brennan explained.
He added there’s also a € 1m project undergoing in Tubbercurry on the Charlestown side for new traffic lights in the area.
“There is also new footpaths being developed entering the town from the southern side and this is to improve traffic flow in the area. These too are nearing completion,” he said.
Local councillor Margaret Gormley welcomed the necessary works, adding that the N17 as a whole needs a complete upgrade.