Funding for work on N4 upgrade confirmed

Additional funding for work on the upgrade of the N4 has been confirmed this afternoon, the two local ministers of state have confirmed.

Minister for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke, TD, said concerns had been raised that the road plan had been left out of Minister Eamon Ryan’s Capital Plan. “I have been engaging with Westmeath County Council and the Roads Office on this key project for Westmeath and the need for it to progress after years of development,” said Minister Burke.

His colleague, Robert Troy, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said he has been engaging heavily with Minister Ryan in relation to the N4 in recent months and reinforcing the importance of upgrade works. “I am delighted that funding has been sourced and plans can continue in terms of route selection,” he said.

Minister Burke added: “The landowners’ assets have been ultimately sterilised with the various delays over the years and I understand the preferred corridor is to be announced in the coming period.

“To cut funding at this point was completely counter-productive, and hugely wasteful of all the time, effort and public money spent to date deciding on the correct route.

“I sat down with the Tánaiste to discuss this matter, who agreed that it was a vital project for the development of jobs and industry in the midlands and north west, and I am delighted to confirm that a decision has been made and communicated to me by the Tánaiste this afternoon. The project has been given the additional funding to continue to be developed, and €1 million has been allocated for 2022.

“I am glad to see common sense prevailing, and I look forward to the further progression of the project which will lead to more balanced regional development, and a safer experience for motorists between Mullingar and Longford.”

It is anticipated that the route selection process for the N4 Mullingar to Longford project will be completed this year, according to the Department of Transport.

Work on route selection will include environmental studies and topographical assessments.