Realignment Project Addresses Road Hazards In Wicklow

A €6.9 million project to remove road hazards at Knockroe Bend in County Wicklow has been completed.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Shay Cullen performed the official opening of the Knockroe Bend realignment project on Friday 17 June.

Main construction on the project was substantially completed in December 2020, with the launch delayed due to Covid restrictions. The new alignment was opened to two-way traffic on 24 July 2020.

Cllr Avril Cronin, Cathaoirleach of Baltinglass Municipal District, commented: "West Wicklow is served by this primary N81 route and is the main artery of travel and access to many small rural areas of west Wicklow. As Cathoirleach of the Baltinglass District, together with my fellow district members, we welcome this alignment works."


Mr Brian Gleeson, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, added: "The construction of this scheme has removed the road hazards at this location and will significantly reduce the occurrence of collisions. This will lead to significant benefits and improvement to safety and overall economic returns."

Wicklow County Council signed the Main Works Contract with Clonmel Enterprises Ltd September 2019 and site supervision of the Main Works Contract was provided by RPS Consulting Engineers.

TII provided funding to facilitate this safety improvement alignment project. The completion of this works will improve the visibility and legibility of the N81, providing a safer transport route on this key piece of infrastructure.