Fingal County Council has appointed BAM as main contractor for the construction of the Ongar Barnhill Road
The Ongar-Barnhill Road in Dublin 15 is a long-standing objective of Fingal County Council. This new high-quality transportation corridor will significantly improve accessibility for sustainable and active travel modes in this fast-growing area. It will also support Fingal’s ongoing commitment to supporting the provision of new homes by providing new access to the surrounding areas of residentially zoned lands. The project consists of approximately 1.8km of road, footpath and cycling facilities and will run from the Barnwell Roundabout to Barberstown Lane South. Its key feature will be a new bridge crossing over the Dunboyne railway line.
The current local road network is largely rural. With significant development having taken place in recent years, this modern infrastructure will improve road safety for everyone now and into the years to come as new development comes on stream.
The Barnhill Local Area Plan was adopted by Fingal County Council in February 2019 and this road project will underpin the sustainable development of significant residential development within those LAP (Local Area Plan) lands. The area will be the site for circa 1,200 new homes with park space and commercial premises also planned for the site.
The Ongar-Barnhill Road scheme also provides walking and cycling links to the Royal Canal Greenway and is designed to complement the future provision of Dart+ West, which will also strengthen the local sustainable and Active Travel network.
With a construction cost of some €20m funded by Fingal County Council’s development levies, BAM has been appointed to commence works in September with a two-year construction programme.
Today Fingal County Council celebrated the official turning of the sod as BAM moved on site and construction got underway.
Alasdair Henderson Executive Director BAM Ireland comments, “BAM is delighted to continue working with Fingal County Council and Clifton Scannell Emerson on this project which will enhance connectivity, promote Active Travel in the community, and facilitate the strategic development of this area for housing development.”
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy says today marks a major milestone for the area. “Developing new housing within the Barnhill Local Area Plan lands depends on access being provided to the area. This new road will not only make it easier to travel to local schools for those already living here, it will also open the door to new housing development taking place in Dublin 15 so that families looking for a place to live can make their home within this wonderful community.”
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, says “We are again using our infrastructure-first approach. By providing very high-quality roads, paths, and cycle lanes the area benefits immediately from better connectivity and when future housing development begins those homes will already be connected to the community and all the facilities that exist here such as sports centres, childcare, schools, and shops.”
Paul Carroll, Senior Engineer with Fingal County Council’s Department of Planning and Strategic Infrastructure says “The Ongar-Barnhill Road will satisfy a number of needs in the area. It will provide quicker, safer journeys on foot or by bike to schools and homes in Ongar and Barnhill, it will connect local routes to the beautiful Royal Canal Greenway and most importantly it will open new space to essential housing development at a time when housing is in high demand. These are all objectives that we are very happy to be addressing as we get construction underway today.”
