Too late for Tuam but days of repeated road openings coming to an end

IT may be too late for Tuam but the days of utility companies digging up the streets one after another are drawing to a close. In future an upgraded computer system will ensure that when a road or street is dug up then all utility companies will know about it and be compelled to get their own work carried out at the same time.

The Department of Transport is funding an upgrade of software known as Maproad which will facilitate joined-up thinking when it comes to road works.

There was consternation within the Tuam business community when it was realised that soon after the completion of the Big Dig which caused two years of traffic disruption while a new water and sewerage system was installed, the streets were to be dug up again by Bord Gais.

It is hoped that adequate ducting has now been installed to accommodate the town’s much-delayed broadband network so when it is eventually installed the minimum of disruption will be caused. Had the Maproad system and the new rules been in place when the €30 million Big Dig project was being planned all utility providers would have been compelled to co-operate and minimise the inconvenience to the public. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar stated that he wants the updated system to 'stop the tyranny of repeated road work in urban areas' — a sentiment many in Tuam will empathise with.