Citywest junction at a cost of €1.2m is near completion
WATCH:
By Mary Dennehy
SOUTH Dublin County Council is monitoring the traffic flow at the new Citywest junction, which is now “substantially complete” and is set to cost in the region of €1.2m.
Since works commenced last summer, motorists have been faced with heavy traffic and tailbacks – a situation which continued last week when the traffic lights at the new, upgraded junction were switched on.
How the Citywest junction looks now.
The works included the removal of the roundabout at the junction of Fortunestown Lane and the former N82 and replacing it with a four-way, fully signalised junction with pedestrian and cycling facilities.
In a previous statement to The Echo, the council said: “The roundabout junction at Citywest had reached capacity and with the ongoing new housing and business developments around the area the junction had to be upgraded to meet the current and future projected traffic demands.”
When contacted by The Echo this week about the continuing traffic tailbacks, a spokesperson for the council said: “The works at Fortunestown Lane/Citywest junction are now substantially complete and the traffic signals were put into operation last week.
“There are some snagging work and minor issues to be addressed by the contractor who is still present on site.
“When a new signalised junction, such as this is opened, it can be anticipated that there will be a period where road users become familiar with the revised layout.
“During this period SDCC monitors the junctions and arranges for minor alterations to be made to the signals’ sequence and timing to increase the efficiency of the junction.”
The spokesperson added: “SDCC will continue to monitor the traffic flows and volumes at the junction and make further adjustments if necessary.
“Negotiations on the final account for the scheme are underway, it is anticipated that the final cost will be approximately €1.2m.”
Works were originally due to be complete last November but due to unforeseen site conditions the completion date was pushed out to the end of February.
