The €200m N5 road project from Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge has been approved to go to construction by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross.
The project has received planning approval and will now move to the tender and construction phase. There will be 34km of new single carriageway road from the western end of the existing N5 Ballaghaderreen Bypass to the townland of Scramoge in County Roscommon, bypassing the towns and villages of Frenchpark, Bellanagare, Tulsk and Strokestown.
Deputy Denis Naughten said: “This project has been a priority for me during my time in Government and one which I have worked on with my colleague Minister Michael Ring”.
Deputy Naughten said that a series of advance works contracts will commence this year, including archaeological investigations, ground investigations, boundary fencing, tree felling and additional clearance works.
He added: “It is expected that a contract will be awarded next year with the construction phase of the projected expected to take three years to complete. The new road when completed will be a major economic boost to County Roscommon and the West of Ireland and will make the region far more attractive for both inward investment and for existing businesses in the region”.
Senator Maura Hopkins welcomed the news. She said that she has been consistently raising this issue since first elected five years ago and added that she will continue to work closely with Minister Ross to ensure that this project can be delivered on time.
Senator Frank Feighan has also welcomed the news. He said: “This is great news and a major milestone for the project. It will bring many benefits, not least from a safety point of view.
“Apart from the safety element, the road upgrade will also reduce the cost of travel for business and tourism and thereby improve competitiveness”.
