Mullingar to Athlone cycleway could be open by mid-July


According to Reports from the Shannonside newsroom, the Mullingar to Athlone cycleway could be open by mid July. The Mullingar to Athlone section is a key part of the overall Dublin to Galway greenway that is hoped to be completed by 2020.

Director of Services Barry Kehoe told a recent meeting of Athlone Municipal District that paving work on the 2.5million euro project is due to begin shortly.

Councillors welcomed the news of allowing the public access to the 40 km section which will connect cyclists and walkers to the urban centres of Mullingar, Moate and Athlone.

While the route will be open to the public in mid-July, all going to plan, further works on the installation of additional things like landscaping, signage and rest areas may still be taking place by then.

For now, cyclists will dismount the trackway at Garrycastle and then be directed into Athlone town centre via retreat road; but eventually, the route along the disused railway line will continue towards town and cross the Shannon on a new cycleway bridge from the Marina at the Radisson Blu Hotel to the Luan Gallery before continuing through the West side out into South Roscommon.

This phase – the Athlone to Galway leg, is already proving controversial, with concerns expressed by several farmers at the potential impact the route could have on their land in south Roscommon.

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