Contracts signed for next stage of €30M N55 scheme

Cavan County Council and Clare Civil Engineering Ltd signed contracts on Tuesday, 14 February, for the main construction works on the N55 Corduff to South of Killydoon, Section B Scheme. The scheme, which will take two years to construct, is expected to be complete by late 2024.

The scheme, which is funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), has been progressed from inception and feasibility stages, public consultation, planning and detailed design, through to the contract-ready capital project by RPS Consulting Engineers working closely with Cavan County Council. The total estimated cost of the scheme, including for construction, land acquisition and the planning and design process, is €30m and represents a major investment in the roads infrastructure of County Cavan.

Cavan County Council has engaged on a programme of route improvements for the N55 within the County over a number of years. Construction of this 3.7km scheme will see the last section of unimproved road between Ballinagh and the Longford county boundary upgraded to a consistent standard of road alignment, linking two previously upgraded sections of the route.

The scheme will offer a safer route for the approximately 5,000 vehicles per day that travel the route and with it bring improved and reliable journey times for motorists, thus improving transport linkages and accessibility to facilities in regional towns of Cavan and Athlone.

The scheme will also bring improved traffic safety for residents living along the route and notably for the village of Killydoon which will be bypassed by the new alignment. The village will also benefit from traffic calming and active travel measures proposed under the Scheme.

Cavan County Council is also working on the design of new road pavement for the N55 South of Killydoon to the Longford county boundary.

Subject to approval from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, it is intended to re surface this stretch of road in Q2 or Q3 of 2023.