Home News Council Contract to straighten notorious Laois road will be awarded in October

Contract to straighten notorious Laois road will be awarded in October

A €2.5 million project to straighten dangerous bends in Arles is due to be awarded in October.

The accident black spot at Maidenhead has tender documents being completed for the N80 realignment scheme.

One of most dangerous roads in Laois

The scheme will remove bends and straighten roughly two kilometres of the road between Portlaoise and Carlow, which has been highlighted as one of the most dangerous roads in Laois.

According to the Road Safety Authority, there have been two fatal crashes, another crash involving serious injuries and 15 minor injury collisions between the Maidenhead and Coolanowle bends from 2000 and 3012.

The project is expected to go to tender at the end of June, following approval of the documents by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Laois County Council chief executive John Mulholland said the contract is scheduled to be awarded in October.

After three years of planning by Laois County Council, the realignment scheme was granted funding by TII last December. The project was approved by An Bórd Pleanála last year.

An archaological investigation began on March 20 and the latest finish date is July 31. IAC Ltd are carrying out the survey, which initially found seven areas of archaeological interest.

Mr Mulholland said that any landowners affected by the archaeology and well-drilling contracts will be compensated.

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