Killarney’s Main Street is to close to traffic again in September, one month earlier than originally planned.
The street from Kenmare Place to Plunkett Street reopened to the public on 3rd July, but further works will have to be done which require it to close again.
Kerry County Council says the overall project will be done by the end of next February.
The Main Street/Kenmare Place Public Realm Improvement Works began on 20th April, with the street closed to traffic from that date.
The works are to enhance the streetscape, accessibility, and overall visitor experience - supporting Killarney as a vibrant destination for all.
It had been planned that the street would reopen from July until October, with more work then taking place from October, with the project to be completed in early December.
The road reopened to traffic as planned in July, but the council says a number of unforeseen challenges have impacted the overall project, although substantial progress has been made.
This now means the street will have to close to traffic at the start of September, one month earlier than originally planned, and the project will not be done until next February.
The council says sections will reopen on a phased basis as works progress, including the reopening of the Plunkett Street junction to traffic ahead of Christmas.
These unforeseen challenges include complex underground infrastructure, as well as global supply chain challenges affecting availability of specialist materials.
The project team also decided to upgrade more infrastructure with the hope that more disruptive works won’t be needed in the coming years.
Kerry County Council says the project will deliver significant long-term benefits, improved accessibility and safety, a sustainable urban drainage system, and an enhanced streetscape.
