The construction of the new ring road in Portlaoise has been hit with delays meaning the Abbeyleix road is to remain closed until October 9 – Laois County Council has confirmed.
The road which was closed on September 3 and was scheduled to re-open on September 11 but is now delayed by another three weeks until Wednesday October 9.
The road constructions are taking place near O’Moore Park and the Clonminam Business park, these delays are causing annoyance for businessmen, motorists and match goers, who are now finding hassle to get to their destinations.
Many people who have to enter Portlaoise from the Abbeyleix road now have to take a long route through Clonminam and down the Mountrath road in order to get to town, this is then causing high traffic levels in these areas.
This blockage has also led to a lot of traffic congestion in the area in the morning and evening rush hours.
Work is progressing though and just yesterday, part of the road opened around one side of the new roundabout.
One of the main points of conflict is for the travelling GAA fans who travel to O’Moore park at the weekends, not only do they get held up going into the match going home is becoming a lengthy, annoying process.
Many of the cars who park in the LOETB Centre of Excellence during the games are getting delayed going home as you can only turn left up towards Clonminam when you leave, this causes a serious hold up and can be very aggravating for people who live the opposite direction of the traffic flow.
The county council have said the new route to connect the Timahoe and Abbeyleix roads will be open for use on October 9 but until then people will have to remain patient.
When it does fully open, the link road will hopefully ease traffic congestion around the town – but until then, delays are set to persist.
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