Contractors start work on Airton Road extension which will take 13 months

CONTRACTORS started on the Airton Road extension this week in what is estimated to be a 13-month project according to South Dublin County Council.

Part 8 plans by the council will see Tallaght Hospital and Cookstown Industrial Estate linked directly with Airton Road, via a new road This is set to involve the construction of an approximately 330 metre two-way single carriageway road, connecting Cookstown Industrial Estate Road to Belgard Road.

The new road will be three metres on each side for vehicles, cycle lanes (two metres on each side of the road) and “increased footpaths” on both sides of the road.

Speaking at the Tallaght area meeting this week, Stephen Cullen, executive engineer SDCC, said work is starting outside Modern Tyres, which is a three-month build, and when that is completed, contractors will move onto the junction of Belgard Road and Belgard Retail Centre.

Although work is going to clash with the Christmas period Cullen said the aim is to keep the retail centre open, and contractors expect the entire project to be finished in summer 2025.

At the meeting, Cllr Patrick Holohan (Ind) expressed concern that Tallaght is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to recent changes in road infrastructure and narrow roads.

In response, Mr Cullen said there would be no major impact for traffic on the Airton Road and that their work is concentrated at the retail centre on Belgard Road towards the hospital.

Cllr Kieron Mahon (Sol) said it is an “important link road” opening it up for new development and housing to “attract capital and put more infrastructure in.”

Mahon thought more design could have gone into buses, noting patients cannot disembark a bus within the hospital grounds.

Cllr Louise Dunne (SF) welcomed the project in terms of improvements it will make for access to Belgard Retail Centre and the hospital.

The project will also see the construction of three signal-controlled junctions – at Cookstown Industrial Estate Road with Airton Road extension, at Airton Road extension with the entrance into Belgard Retail Park, and Airton Road extension and Belgard Road.