Road improvements warmly welcomed

“It wasn’t just a case of putting in a turning lane,” stated senior engineer for the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District, Paul Mulligan, referring to recent works along the N3 to install safety measures at junctions connecting to Drumsillagh, Drumcrow and Annagh.

Thanking his colleagues at the Road Design Section for their engagement with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which sanctioned the works, Mr Mulligan described the overall outcomes as a “great job”.

“There’s a new surface down, properly done, and properly implemented,” he said, thanking the area’s elected members for raising the concerns of the public in relation to the junctions beforehand.

Fianna Fáil’s Aine Smith, presiding at her first meeting as Cathaoirleach, said that her late father would be happy to see the works carried out.

Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty agreed, as did John Paul Feeley (FG) who stated that he hoped the works would result in improved safety along the busy route.

Independent Brendan Fay said it had been an “issue” for many years and he was satisfied a solution had been found.

Cllrs Madeleine Argue (FG) and Patricia Walsh (FF) also welcomed the intervention.

Daggan on N3 bypass

At the same meeting, Cllr Feeley tabled a motion asking that the council look for similar safety measures to be introduced further south on the N3 Cavan Bypass at Daggan.

He said the junction was the scene of several “serious incidents” in years past.

The motion received support from all other MD members, including Cllr Walsh who agreed that the section of road “needs to be looked at”.

Mr Mulligan meanwhile walked local councillors through other projects and improvements elsewhere in the county.

Drainage works

They included drainage works that are “ongoing” on the R201 Killeshandra to Milltown road before the main reconstruction works begin.

However, Mr Mulligan paid tribute to the completeness and standard of work that had been done before.

He told the councillors that there were existing drainage systems there already, some between 50-60 years old.

He said the work done then was as “good today as it was when it first went down”.

“Sometimes you have to compliment the people from the past,” said Mr Mulligan.

Drainage and preparation works were also done on the L1508 Butlersbridge to Killeshandra Rd and the L50231 Tullyloughfin/Altachullion Upper route.

Surfacing works were carried on the approach to Carthy’s Bridge on the R200 Tullynacross-Drumakeever, and surfacing dressing at L1500 Creeney-Tunker.

Mr Mulligan said that drainage works were being carried out on the R200 Garvalt prior to surface dressing.

Mr Mulligan further complemented the installation of the Hands of Peace, with artists Imogen Stuart’s blessing, at Railway Road in Cavan Town; and bridge upgrade works taking placed at Mullaghboy, Bawnboy, and at Roscoo 1 and 2, Mullaghmore, Bawnboy.

In respect of the bridge works at Mullaghboy, Mr Mulligan said the work done was “very impressive”.

Elsewhere, he delighted in highlighting the work done by council staff member Brendan McGovern who made new signage, which has since been erected at the Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark.