N55 tenders issued for new section of road at Killydoon

A call has gone out for companies to construct the next section of the N55 road upgrade, writes Eddie Butler.

Cavan County Council has issued the tenders for the new section of road at Killydoon.

It’s the final phase of the upgrade of the busy route, linking Cavan Town and Athlone.

The 3.7km scheme will see the bypassing of Killydoon with a new road from Corduff to the south of the village, linking two previously upgraded sections.

The scope of works involves the realignment of the road, the construction of five new side roads to link with the old N55 and the realignment of two existing side roads.

Other works, including three new bridges over the River Erne, site clearance, drainage works are included, along with traffic calming measures in Killydoon village. The closing date for submissions is January 25.

Cavan County Council told the Celt in September that it hoped to begin work in early 2022, pending a successful tendering process, approval of funding and the receipt of the necessary approvals.

Construction overall is expected to take two years to complete.

Work on the last phase of the upgrade, from Ballinagh to Ballytrust, was completed in late 2018. This last section will see the whole N55 through Cavan upgraded.