A contract has been signed for upgrade works to a high-tech roads project in Sligo involving what is being described as an ‘Intelligent Transportation System’.
The deal between Sligo County Council and Fox Building and Engineering Ltd. includes improvements to the dual carriageway north of Hughes Bridge in Sligo Town to the Rosses Point Road junction.
The works are being financed from €14m funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the N4-N15 Sligo Urban Improvement Scheme .
The upgraded route will use the latest technology with the aim of creating a safe and efficient roads network.
A total of 13 junctions along the route will be connected to a fibre optic system that will communicate with each other so to improve traffic flow.
Senior Engineer in Sligo County Council National Roads Projects Office, Emer Concannon, explains the system.
Key to the operation of the network is detection system at traffic lights.
Emer Concannon says it should result in fewer delays for motorists at junctions.
She also highlights the specific areas where works will start.
Fox Building and Engineering Ltd. is expected to be on site in three weeks time to begin construction.
It’s hoped the new system will be completed and open to traffic by September 2020.