There is interest in progressing a bypass for Killorglin but it’s still a considerable way off.
That was the message from Director of services for roads and transport at Kerry County Council, Frank Hartnett at the recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting.
He was responding to motions by Independent councillor Podge Foley and Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill.
Both councillors Podge Foley and Tommy Cahill referenced the increased volumes of traffic in Killorglin in their motions.
Cllr Foley stated business people and residents are concerned with traffic flow in the area, while Cllr Cahill said he understood a bypass for Killorglin is a huge and complex project, but he added that the town is now a choke hold for traffic.
Director of services with the council, Frank Hartnett told the meeting that Killorglin does need a bypass and that the council is fully supportive of the project.
Mr Hartnett stated Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is interested in putting Killorglin bypass back on as a project.
He said a bypass for the town was looked at before and it was a project that was on and off again.
He cautioned councillors that they must be realistic of timelines and referenced the N22 Killarney to Farranfore bypass which he noted started in 1998 and similarly to Killorglin had been on and off again in the past.
Frank Hartnett said the Killorglin bypass project is in it's very early days, adding the council was hopeful to get a funding allocation for it; however, he warned it was some considerable distance away before there would be boots on the ground in this project.
