N4 upgrade project moves to design phase

The long-awaited N4 Mullingar to Longford (Roosky) road upgrade has reached another milestone, with Westmeath County Council confirming that the project is progressing through the next stage of development.

Working in partnership with Longford County Council and supported by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the local authority has announced that the scheme is now in Phase 3, Design and Environmental Evaluation, following on from the selection of the preferred option in 2025.

The proposed scheme will upgrade approximately 50 kilometres of the N4 National Primary Route between the Mullingar Bypass and the Dromod-Roosky Bypass. The project includes plans to bypass a number of towns and villages along the route, including Newtownforbes, Longford Town, Edgeworthstown, Rathowen and Ballinalack.

According to project officials, current work involves detailed engineering design as well as a range of environmental and technical surveys. Over the coming weeks, members of the project team will engage directly with landowners affected by the emerging design to discuss proposals, potential impacts and gather feedback.

Public information events are also planned for later this summer, providing residents and stakeholders with an opportunity to learn more about the project and contribute their views.

The road upgrade is expected to deliver a range of benefits, including improved road safety, enhanced connectivity, reduced journey times and support for sustainable transport. It is also viewed as a key piece of infrastructure for driving regional economic growth and improving quality of life for communities along the route.

The project has a long and sometimes frustrating history. A preferred route corridor and route selection report were originally published in 2010, but progress was halted due to funding constraints. Concerns about the future of the scheme resurfaced in 2023 when it was omitted from the Government's Capital Plan. However, the Government subsequently allocated €1 million to allow the project to advance to the route selection stage.

Delays over the past 15 years have been a source of frustration for local politicians, businesses and landowners. While significant work remains before construction can begin, the latest update is being viewed as a positive step forward for one of the Midlands' most anticipated transport projects.