N4 Mullingar–Longford upgrade included in government €22bn transport plan
The upgrade of the N4 Mullingar–Longford has been listed for progression in the Government’s new Transport Sectoral Plan, published this afternoon.
The plan sets out an ambitious €22 billion programme of investment in transport infrastructure and services over the next five years. The estimated cost of the N4 upgrade is between €500 million and €1 billion.
Identified as a major national roads project, the next step for the N4 is progression through the statutory and appraisal stages, with movement toward Approval Gate 1 by 2030. Construction is expected to start after 2030.
The plan has been welcomed by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, and Robert Troy TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance.
“Today’s approval is a major step forward in delivering the upgrade of the N4. Communities along this stretch have been calling for action for a long time, and this decision finally gives the project the momentum it needs,” said Minister Burke. He added that the road had long been an accident hotspot:
“With more than 500 junctions and an outdated layout, it poses real risks for local families, commuters and businesses every day. The upgrade is essential not just for economic development, but for public safety.”
Minister Troy described the N4 as “a critical piece of infrastructure,” essential not only for the area but for the wider North West, linking it with Dublin.
“It fulfils our commitment as a government to balanced regional development,” he said. “Connectivity is key to that objective.”
Deputy Troy noted that the project had been anticipated for many years:
“This was well advanced in the early 2000s but was paused during the global financial crisis, meaning much good work was lost. It is really positive news that it is now included in this new plan, and I look forward to seeing the project progress quickly through the various stages.”
Westmeath motorists will also benefit from upgrades to the Maynooth–Leixlip stretch of the M4, estimated at €100–250 million, with works due to begin by 2030.
Another N4 project is the Carrick-on-Shannon bypass and traffic management scheme, currently at strategic assessment and preliminary business case stage. Construction is expected to start by 2028, with costs estimated at €250–500 million.
The plan also includes measures from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, published in July 2024. Among “relatively low-cost interventions” is the introduction of new track passing loops on several lines, including the Sligo line, with implementation expected before 2030.
A second major roads project in the area is the N52 between Tullamore and Kilbeggan, although no timeline has been provided.
Meanwhile, a new “Bypass Relief Road Programme” lists Athlone among the towns to progress to the first formal approval stage, placing it on a national shortlist alongside Claregalway, Thurles and Ballina. No timeline has been confirmed for this scheme.