Bypass plans finally revealed
NEW BRIDGE WILL CROSS BOYNE JUST EAST OF THE PRESENT ONE
AFTER a number of major accidents and years of campaigning, the plans for the Slane Bypass have finally been unveiled by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
The proposed new bypass will provide a dual carriage to the east of Slane village on the N2 National Primary Route and will include a new bridge, 19m above the river bank level, that will cross the River Boyne just east of the existing bridge.
The scheme is 3.5 kilometres long and Meath County Council has signalled their intention to compulsorily acquire land in six townlands to facilitate the building of the bypass.
The road and bridge through the village has been a notorious blackspot in the area for decades, and in February 2001 the local community was devastated by tragic death of toddler David Garvey after the brakes failed on a lorry which then ploughed into his family's car.
The Slane Bridge Action Group was established in the wake of the tragedy and the group are delighted that the plans for the bypass are now moving forward after years of delays.
The dangers posed by the steep Mill Hill were once again in evidence in April last year when the brakes on another vehicle failed causing a seven vehicle pile up involving five cars and two lorries.
Miraculously, all passengers survived without major injury.
The new bypass will include a roundabout that will form a junction at the southern end of the scheme connecting with the existing N2 at Johnstown, an overbridge where the new N2 will pass under the Rossnaree Road at Fennor including slight vertical realignment of this road and another roundabout that will form a junction at the northern end of the scheme connecting to the existing N2 at Mooretown.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the bypass notes that 44 archaeological sites will be within 500m of the roadway , including Brú na Boinne, and acknowledges the potential to uncover much more during work is significant.
However, Roughan and O'Donovan Consulting Engineers who carried out the EIS, said the eastern bypass was considered the most favourable option following detailed investigations.
The proposed route alignment seeks to hide the road within cuttings and topographic adjustments in the landscape, coupled with extensive roadside planting to screen and green the corridor.
- Fiona MAGENNIS
