Mayo councillor welcomes progress on N59 Newport to Mulranny upgrade

The upgrade of the N59 between Newport and Derradda is expected to start in the autumn according to a local Fianna Fáil councillor.

The realignment of the N59 between Newport and Derradda was allocated €5.5 million by the Department of Transport in February and is now expected to go to tender in the coming weeks.

Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy stated that he was informed by officials in Mayo County Council that the project will be going to tender in the coming weeks with the contract expected to be awarded in July.

The Fianna Fáil councillor who will be contesting the Local Elections in June in the Westport Electoral Area added that the officials confirmed to him that the construction of the project is now expected to start in September.

Cllr Mulroy said this is great news as this 5 km stretch of road which will be upgraded is 'possibly the worst in Ireland'.

The Newport to Derradda upgrade of the N59 will also include the construction of an overpass bridge near Burrishoole Bridge which will be part of the Great Western Greenway. This will be welcomed by users of the Greenway as they currently have to cross the busy N59. 

The realignment of the N59 from Newport to Mulranny will be completed in three stages with the Newport to Derradda section followed by a section to Newfield and the last section to be completed will be from Newfield to Mulranny. The whole project is expected to be completed by 2030.

The progression of the N59 project follows news that the TII have given the go ahead for the George's Street safety scheme in Newport with work on this project expected to begin after Easter.

The project will involve the construction of a new 200 metre long footpath along the left hand side of the street as you travel towards Achill along with a pedestrian crossing at the Glenhest Road. The realignment of the N59 from Newport will begin at the junction of the Glenhest Road.