National Road Improvement Works
M6 Athlone to Ballinasloe Motorway:
The M6 Motorway Scheme from Ballinasloe to Athlone was officially opened on the 23rd July, 2009. The road was formally designated a motorway on 28th August, 2009. This high quality scheme extends from the western end of the existing Athlone Relief Road to Tulrush, south east of Ballinasloe a distance of 20 kilometers.
N5 Ballaghaderreen By-Pass:
The N5 Ballaghaderreen By-Pass will extend from the Mayo County Boundary to Tibohine, a distance of 13.6 kilometers. The CPO for the scheme was confirmed on 26th September 2008. The CPO became operative on 5th November 2008 and notices to treat were issued before the statutory deadline of 5th May 2010. It is expected that construction of the bypass will commence in the last quarter of 2012. The allocation for the scheme in 2012 is €6,000,000.
Other National Road Projects:
The corridor selection process for the N5 Strategic Corridor Study has been concluded. Further planning of the scheme has been deferred as no grant allocation has been received since 2009.
Consultants were appointed in February, 2009 to prepare the design for the N4 Carrick on Shannon to Dromod Scheme. Part of this scheme is in County Roscommon.
Pavement improvement works continued at various locations on the national road network throughout the county during the year.