N55 works to start before end of year

Road improvements on the N55 should commence before the end of this year. At the April meeting of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, Cllr Winston Bennett tabled a motion asking for an update on the next stage of the N55.

The works include the construction of the Killydoon bypass, which is expected to take at least two years to conclude.

Tenders for the next phase of the N55 upgrade were flagged last September when Cavan County Council said approval by officials at Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was the only impediment to progress.

The final phase of the ambitious project will see the village of Killydoon by-passed by a new 3.7km section of roadway.

Work on the last phase of the N55 upgrade, between Ballinagh to Ballytrust, was completed in late 2018.

The €4.5m realignment will take in the townlands of Ballytrust, Ballytrust Lower, Legwee, Drumcor, Killydoon, Drumbannow, Grousehall and Mullahoran.

Speaking on Cllr Bennett’s motion John Donohoe, senior executive officer with the Ballyjamesduff MD, told the meeting: “I have spoke to our own design team on this particular issue. The main construction contract has been tendered.

“The tender evaluation process is ongoing and is very close to being completed.

“Once that is completed, they will submit a recommendation to TII for approval, when TII issue that approval the contract will be awarded. So all going well that will happen in the next couple of months,” the local authority SEO said.

Cllr Bennett asked if there was any indication of when work on the project would begin. Responding, Mr Donohoe said: “To date the indications from TII are that it will commence before the end of the year.”