Number of projects planned to enhance safety in Cavan Town
Cavan County Council is responsible for the maintenance of more than 3,000km of public road each year. Next year's budgeted figure for road transport and safety stands at over €30M, representing a 9.3% increase on the 2025 figure.
However, it was noted at the recent council budget meeting that road grants have yet to be confirmed and expenditure “will be adjusted” when the council is notified of its allocation for next year.
Over €17M has been allocated for the maintenance and improvements of local roads, an increase of just over three per cent on the current year. Meanwhile €6.8M has been earmarked for regional roads in 2026.
At the start of 2025, funding sources from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Department of Transport, the council's own resources and the National Transport Authority (NTA) amounted to over €35M, with additional allocations during the year bringing this figure to over €36M.
Virginia bypass
The Virginia bypass project is among the major road schemes outlined for Cavan at this year's budget meeting.
The scheme is being developed as a “hybrid multi-modal transport solution” comprising road, public transport enhancements, demand management, active travel facilities and park and share hubs which will provide “safe parking “ and “safe bus stops”.
“The scheme will greatly improve safety on the N3, reducing congestion, noise and air pollution in Virginia and the settlements of Maghera and Whitegate, while providing a consistent route cross-section with an improvement journey time and travel efficiency for national road traffic,” the budget reads.
The scheme is being developed using a “phased approach” and is currently at Phase 3; Design and Environmental Evaluation.
A recent announcement by Deputy Brendan Smith outlined that the project is “earmarked” to start in 2029 at a cost of €250–500 million.
Provided there are no further delays, that could mean delivery of the project by 2031 or 2032.
However, the design is “subject to change and refinement” and “additional lands may be included following advancement of the key design elements of the project”, according to the council's annual budget.
“Further environmental surveys, walkovers, and assessments will take place throughout the design phases.”
Meanwhile, ongoing works on the N55 Ballinagh Relief road include analysis of traffic survey data, design of alignments for the proposed route options and preliminary site walkovers for environmental, ecological, drainage, and geotechnical assessments.
Safety
The stretch of road from the Cavan Crystal Hotel to the Kilmore roundabout is another set to reviewed enhanced safety measures.
The scheme incorporates new footpaths, raised cycle lanes, new bus bays, and safety improvements works to benefit cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Kildare’s Clandillion Civil Consulting has been appointed to progress this scheme through to Phase 3 Public Consultation to Phase 7 Construction.
The design of the scheme is currently being finalised, when it will then be submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for approval. Subject to successful advancement through various stages, construction works are “envisaged to commence” in 2027.
Active Travel
Meanwhile, under the Active Travel Scheme, a project to improve cycleways and footpaths between Cavan General Hospital, the roundabout, and the bus station is progressing through preliminary design work under Tobin Consulting Engineers.
The scheme will include new footpaths and a dedicated cycle track along the R212 and R198; “significantly enhancing connectivity between the hospital, surrounding residential and commercial areas and the town centre.”