Tenders ready to go on N55 project

Construction of Killydoon bypass expected to take at least two years

Tenders to progress the next phase of the N55 upgrade are “ready to go” according to Cavan County Council, with only the signature of officials at Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) now awaited.

The final phase of the ambitious project will see the village of Killydoon by-passed by a new 3.7km section of roadway.

RPS Consulting Engineers were appointed in February last year to provide consultancy services on the project, and the next stage involves the issuing of tenders for the main construction contract.

Already ground investigations and supplementary surveys have taken place, with hedge clearing complete and fencing also installed.

Construction is expected to take at least two years.

Work on the last phase of the N55 upgrade, between Ballinagh to Ballytrust, was completed in late 2018.

It is hoped construction on the Killydoon bypass could begin as early as next year, once the tendering process is complete and funding approved.

The €4.5m realignment will take in the townlands of Ballytrust, Ballytrust Lower, Legwee, Drumcor, Killydoon, Drumbannow, Grousehall and Mullahoran.

Cavan County Council moved to take possession of the lands required through CPO in 2020 following issue of ‘Notice of Entry’ on affected owners.

The associate land and property acquisition processes have been progressed, with offers of compensation made.

A section of the existing N55 will be retained to service properties and local road L-6591.

A new section of link road will connect the existing N55 to the new N55 in the townlands of Killydoon and Drumcor.

Two new sections of link road will meanwhile connect the village of Killydoon to the new N55.