Very welcome news today that undergrounding works will begin in Bishop Street next week.
The works will involve removing all electrical and telecommunication cables and poles beginning at the Square and finishing approximately 50 metres beyond the Cathedral entrance. LED lighting public lighting will also be installed.
The funding for the work is coming from my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
I am delighted to see the works proceed. It is something that Tuam Tidy Towns has been campaigning for.
Galway County Council is the main contractor for the works and will be liaising with public representatives and local people to ensure minimal disruption.
The undergrounding of cabling and poles is an important step in the wider project to regenerate the centre of Tuam and will greatly enhance the Bishop Street area.
Most of the works will be on the footpaths so that two-way traffic will be maintained during most of the installation period.
Three road crossings will be needed but these will be carried out at times when there is less traffic, for example when schools are closed.
It will take a number of weeks to get all chambers and ducting installed but the work is expected to be completed by late March.