Route selected for Ballinagh N55 Bypass
Eastern route emerges as preferred option in relief road plan
Ballinagh has moved a significant step closer to securing a long-awaited bypass, following the identification of an eastern route as the preferred option for the N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme.
Cavan County Council, working in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), has confirmed the project has successfully completed its Phase 2 Options Selection Process, with an eastern bypass corridor selected for further development.
The scheme is designed to tackle long-standing congestion and road safety problems along the N55 through Ballinagh, while strengthening north-south connectivity linking Cavan Town with the wider midlands region.
The need for improvements is particularly significant given the volume of local and through traffic travelling through the village on a daily basis, including heavy goods vehicles. The existing road layout has been identified as substandard in terms of alignment and visibility, with a stop-controlled staggered junction at the N55/R154 intersection adding to the challenges.
The proposed bypass also represents a crucial piece of the wider N55 upgrade programme. Previous improvements, including the 3.2km Corduff to south of Killydoon realignment, opened in 2018, and the 3.7km Ballytrust to Mullahoran scheme, substantially completed in December 2024, have already improved sections of the route.
Sweco Ireland was appointed by Cavan County Council to deliver engineering, environmental, transport planning and project management services for the project.
The preferred eastern corridor follows a detailed assessment of potential routes, taking account of engineering feasibility, environmental considerations, transport requirements and economic factors, in accordance with TII's Project Management Guidelines.
However, while the selection marks an important breakthrough, the project still has several stages to navigate before construction can become a reality.
Subject to the necessary approvals, it will now advance to Phase 3- Design and Environmental Evaluation, which will involve further developing the preferred route, refining the design and undertaking more detailed environmental and technical assessments.
Local residents, businesses, elected representatives and other stakeholders will continue to be consulted as the project progresses.
Copies of the Preferred Option brochure and corridor maps are available online through Cavan County Council's website.
Physical copies can also be inspected during normal office hours at:
Customer Service Desk, Second Floor, Johnston Centre, Farnham Street, Cavan, H12 C9K1.
Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Office, Courthouse, Virginia, A82 F8C8.
For further information about the N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme, members of the public can contact Sweco Ireland: info@sweco.ie or by post at N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme, Road Design Section, Cavan County Council, Courthouse, Farnham Street,Cavan.