Galway Bay fm newsroom – The proposed upgrade of the N59 from Maam Cross to Clifden looks set to face significant ecological challenges.
The An Bord Pleanala oral hearing on the CPO process for the scheme ended last evening.
A decision is expected on the project in the coming months.
Long regarded as possibly one of the worst roads of its status in Ireland, the N59 – the main road from Galway to Clifden- falls down on most counts in engineering terms, and gets worse as it goes further west.
However, the large number of environmental designations along the road route took up a considerable amount of time during the three day hearing.
The An Bord Pleanála Inspector was accompanied by an ecology expert.
70% of the 30 kilometre road would remain on the same route according to Galway County Councils plans with certain sections being re-routed.
A decision is expected from An Bord Pleanála early next year.
Meanwhile, the section from Oughterard to Maam Cross remains bogged down since the National Parks and Wildlife Service is not yet in agreement with the Co Council’s work plans.
Another effort to resolve the issues is expected soon.