News
Junction plans unveiled on same day as yet another accident
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Fresh plans to tackle the ongoing road safety issues at the Killarney bypass and Lewis Road junction were unveiled this week to town councillors, ironically on the same day that yet another collision took place at the notorious accident blackspot.
Two people were hospitalised on Tuesday following an incident involving two cars at the junction. Traffic was backed up in all directions as emergency services attended the scene. Thankfully, it is believed that the injuries sustained by those involved are not serious.
Interim plans revealed to councillors will involve restricting traffic exiting from the Lewis Road side to left turns only. Footpaths will be widened by one metre and new traffic islands will also be constructed. A reduced speed limit of 80kmph has also been proposed.
In the longer term, a new roundabout will be constructed near the Kilcummin junction of the bypass which will also lead to a new road that will go to Deerpark, down by the side of Ardshanavooley and onto the Park Road.
While the stop-gap, traffic calming measures could be implemented by September, it is understood that the long term plans might not come to fruition until 2020.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, Mayor Niall Kelleher said that the priority is ensuring that we don’t have another loss of life. “We’re not there yet but every pressure is being put on to make progress,” he added.
Hopefully the short term plans will help the situation but it appears as though we could be facing into another two years without major progress on the most deadly junction in town. We here at the Killarney Advertiser have long campaigned for change at this particular accident blackspot so we welcome the new plans. We just hope that they don’t come too late.