The development, over a distance of 0.8km, will now be subject to a Part 8 planning process with submissions accepted from the public until March 21 after which time the chief executive of Kerry County Council will make a recommendation on the matter to the members of the municipal district council.

All documentation is available from the Country Council Website Kerrycoco.ie

The N22 Lewis Road and Kilcummin Road Upgrade Project involves the upgrade of approximately 0.8km of the N22 National Primary Route which forms part of the Killarney Bypass. Specifically, the project focuses on the upgrade of a staggered junction which connects the L3902 Lewis Road and the L2033 Kilcummin Road to the N22.

The location of numerous sports facilities to the north and south of the bypass creates a strong demand for crossings of the N22 by vulnerable road users.

This project proposes to upgrade the junction in terms of safety and capacity and to provide improved facilities
for all road users.

The project generally comprises of:

  • Resurfacing and redistribution of the N22 Road Pavement within its existing extents over a distance of 0.8km;
  • Construction of a three-arm roundabout on the N22 circa 400m east of the Ballydribbeen Railway
  • Bridge in the townland of Deer Park. (Provision for a fourth arm has been made to facilitate future connection of a Link Road to Killarney Town Centre)
  • Realignment of the L2033 Kilcummin Road over a distance of 500m to connect to the N22 at the proposed roundabout;
  • Introduction of kerbing and bollards to prevent all right turning movements both to and from the L3902 Lewis Road and to prevent illegal u-turn manoeuvres through the length of the project.
  • Rearrangement of the existing road cross section to provide enhanced cycle and pedestrian facilities;
  • Provision of a pedestrian and cycle subway linking Bridgefield Housing Estate to the realigned L2033 Kilcummin Road. This subway shall have public lighting.
  • Earthworks, Drainage, footpaths/ cycleways, public lighting, fencing, road signage, road markings,
  • Landscaping and other ancillary works associated with the development

Detailed Drawing are available from http://www.kerrycoco.ie/home3/roadsmain/public-consultation-part-8-n22-lewis-road/

Below are some of the motions I have raised on the matter since elected to Kerry County Council

05/04/2017-Killarney MD
Motion: That an update be given on the Lewis Road Junction onto the Killarney By-Pass. We have a duty to try to save lives and we cannot continue to accept nothing being done at this junction.
Reply: We have raised the concerns of the Members in relation to the Lewis Road Junction with the TII on a number of occasions. The Junction with the Killarney By-Pass is part of the N22 National Primary Road Network. Any improvement works, including the revision of the road layout, is subject to the approval of and provision of funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The TII directly determines the locations that will be funded, based on criteria that are set down in their technical standards, and which are ranked having regard to recorded collision data. Whilst the location was not included on the list of schemes approved for design in the current year, we had further discussion with the TII, particularly having regard to the recorded minor injury accidents at this location over the past 5 years. We will shortly be making a formal submission to have this junction assessed.

23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Question: Please provide update in relation to junction at top of Lewis Road onto the By-Pass? Accidents continue to happen at this location.
Reply: We have raised the concerns of the members in relation to the Lewis Road Junction with the TII on a number of occasions. The Junction with the Killarney By-Pass is part of the N22 National Primary Road Network. Any improvement works, including the revision of the road layout, is subject to the approval of and provision of funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The TII directly determines the locations that will be funded, based on criteria that are set down in their technical standards, and which are ranked having regard to recorded collision data. Whilst the location was not included on the list of schemes approved for design in the current year, we had further discussion with the TII, particularly having regard to the recorded minor injury accidents at this location over the past 5 years. We will shortly be making a formal submission to have this junction assessed.

28/03/2018-Killarney MD
Question: What is the update regarding Lewis Road Junction?
Reply: Kerry County Council has been actively engaging with the TII in relation to proposals for the upgrade of the junction and the TII have requested a Project Appraisal of the Scheme, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport guidelines for such projects. This entails obtaining latest traffic count figures and updating the Traffic Model. This work is currently underway with a view to having DTTAS / TII approval of the final proposals in June / July 2018. Meanwhile the constraints which affect the design of the scheme have been identified and the preliminary design is being developed. A preliminary archaeology assessment is underway. An environmental assessment of the proposals has commenced and screening will be carried out as part of this process. Subject to the outcome of the screening process and receipt of TII approval, it is intended to publish the Part 8 Notice in Q3 2018.