Bypass business case prepped for submission

The council aims to submit a 'preliminary business case' to the Department in 2026 for the Virginia N3 Bypass.

Planning process documentation is currently being prepared in respect of the east Cavan town which is routinely congested with traffic during rush hours.

Cavan County Council continues to progress the development of the project through the final elements of design and environmental evaluation and subject to the necessary Government approval, they expect the formal planning application to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála next year.

The latest design update, published last month, includes several key elements crucial to the project’s development.

It outlines the indicative development boundary, encompassing land required for permanent and temporary works. The update shows the layout of the mainline, junctions, and side roads, including any proposed earthworks and slopes. It identifies too the provisional Emergency Refuge Areas and the locations of vital structures such as overbridges, underbridges, culverts, and Active Travel crossings.

It is hoped that funding for the bypass could be secured under the government's flagship €100bn infrastructure investment plan set to be rolled out over the next five years. Approximately €30bn of the overall package for the revised National Development Plan 2026-30 is new funding, partially sourced from the Apple tax settlement and the sale of AIB shares, with spending specifics expected to be outlined in greater details come October's Budget.

Linking Derver to Lisgrey, and running north of Lough Ramor, the proposed route connects to both development lands at Burrencarragh and the R195 Oldcastle road. It includes two new roundabouts and overpasses the R178 Bailieborough Road.

Tendering was earmarked to begin in 2026, with construction due start in 2028 for completion by the year 2031.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith said he had been informed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland that the project is “currently progressing” through Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation.

Funding of €1.2 million was provided for the project in 2025, and a preliminary business case is scheduled for submission to the Department in 2026 for Gate 1 approval, in accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines of Ireland”, stated TII.

Deputy Brendan Smith told The Anglo-Celt that Cavan County Council are at present preparing the planning process documentation.

He added that it is “essential” that this much needed route is “advanced as quickly as possible”.