NOW it’s getting totally ridiculous. The notorious junction linking the busy Killarney bypass and Lewis Road – unquestionably one of the country’s worst accident blackspots – was the scene of yet another serious collision this afternoon.
Two cars were involved in the smash shortly after 2 o’clock and one person, who sustained injuries, was taken to University Hospital Kerry for treatment.
Two units of Killarney Fire Service, ambulance personnel and Gardaí rushed to the scene right at the junction where vehicles exit from Lewis Road onto the bypass. One of the cars was extensively damaged in the crash and traffic was delayed for a considerable time as emergency services dealt with the situation.
It’s the second serious collision at the exact same spot in three days and, as reported by KillarneyToday.com on Saturday, a woman was removed to hospital from the scene of a single-vehicle collision at lunchtime.
The crazy junction and bypass road is undoubtedly the biggest traffic hazard in the county and it has been the scene of countless accidents in recent years, a number of which have been fatal.
Kerry County Council management and Killarney Municipal District Council members have campaigned relentlessly for action to be taken and they have brought a solid case to Transport Infrastructure Ireland which is the only body that can decide on a course of action.
Council officials said it is possible that plans could include a roundabout while the right turn option from Lewis Road on to the N22 bypass could be prohibited. Consideration is also expected to be given the reducing the speed limit on the bypass from 100km/hr to 80km/hr.
The average daily traffic flow of close on 18,000 vehicles on the N22 creates difficulties for drivers existing or accessing the minor roads and the possibility of providing a roundabout east of the Kilcummin Road, which would allow safety concerns to be addressed, will be examined.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has acknowledged that the volume of traffic passing through the Killarney bypass road and using the junctions leading to Lewis Road and Ballydribbeen is nearing capacity.
The body responsible for all roads in the country had asked the council for a feasibility report on the existing junctions, including details on their capacity, collision history and speed profiles.
The report has been submitted, as requested, and a further report on potential solutions to the problems encountered on the bypass road has been prepared. A decision from Transport Infrastructure Ireland is now awaited.
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