Route selection for N4 upgrade can go ahead

The selection of the route for the N4 Mullingar to Longford upgrade can now go ahead, following an allocation of €1.4m. At a meeting last week, members of Westmeath County Council welcomed the allocation.

They were told that the draft documentation on the route selection is being finalised to allow the consultation process to commence. If more funds are available, the detailed design process can begin.

The allocation is included in the €12.3m allocated for national roads and greenways in the county. It includes €4.7m for improvements, €5.5m for greenways, and €543,634 for maintenance.

National Transport Authority grants of €4.5m have also been announced for various projects in the county; the biggest is Saunders Bridge in Mullingar, which is getting over €1.2m, and next are Athlone footpath and cycleway improvements for six strategic routes on €730,000.

The allocation for regional and local roads is reduced, at €13.5m, but presenting the figures to the council, Jimmy Dalton, head of finance, said that if non-recurring specific improvement grants are taken out, they are generally in line.

Mr Dalton pointed out that the allocations will be supplemented as the year progresses and further allocations will be received under the TII national road pavement improvement and maintenance programmes.