On Thursday 16th April the N77 Ballyragget to Ballynaslee Improvement Scheme was officially opened by Minister Jerry Buttimer-Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in the presence of the Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council and the Elected Members.
Speaking at the official opening of the N77 Improvement Scheme, which covered a 2.44 km section of the road from the N77 Ballyragget Village to Ballynaslee Road. Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh on behalf of Kilkenny County Council, congratulated all stakeholders involved in bringing the project to the opening stage, she noted that “This will be a huge step forward in terms of road safety on the N77.The completion of this project marks a significant milestone not only in terms of infrastructure development and road safety but also in enhancing the fabric of our community.”
Launching the scheme, Minister Buttimer thanked and acknowledged all involved, stating: “This scheme is also part of the wider programme of national infrastructure delivery taking place across the country. Investment in roads, public transport and regional connectivity is essential to supporting balanced growth. Projects like this strengthen supply chains, improve safety and ensure that communities and businesses large and small can thrive.”’
The N77 is a National Secondary Route linking Kilkenny City to the M7 Motorway (Junction 17) and Portlaoise via the village of Ballyragget and the towns of Durrow and Abbeyleix. Capacity was restricted on this section of road due to its limited cross section and sub-standard horizontal alignment. These constraints contribute to the absence of overtaking opportunities and inconsistent traffic flow regimes on the route.
Situated on lands adjoining the N77 at the scheme location lies Tirlán’s Ballyragget factory between Ballyragget village and the townland of Ballynaslee. It is a key employer in the region and one of Europe’s largest integrated dairy processing facilities.
Following a construction period of just over 12 months, the project delivered a range of improvements to enhance road safety and traffic capacity on the N77. These include the removal of substandard horizontal geometry, the provision of safe overtaking opportunities, and the upgrade of the Tirlán factory entrance.
The progression of the project from inception to the opening of the new realignment scheme was the result of a collaborative effort involving Kilkenny County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Tramore House RDO, the appointed consultants EGIS, and the contractor, Fox Building & Engineering Ltd. In addition, the advancement of the scheme to the construction stage would not have been possible without the consent and cooperation of the landowners affected by the project.
