Roscommon Chief Executive Eugene Cummins says he's optimistic that work on the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue project will begin early next year.
Speaking on the Let's Talk programme this afternoon Mr Cummins says he regarded the project as the most significant development for the county during his time with the local authority.
While the project has been delayed due to the collapse of Roadbridge earlier this year, the Chief Executive said he's optimistic that the scheme will get underway after Christmas
"That is going to be the most significant development. That was a huge challenge to acquire the land, the CPO, all the contract issues that we had. We are very hopeful that the project will get underway after Christmas and that is, to me, the biggest and most important development to the county. It's vital to the county, the region, and indeed the country. I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully it'll be delivered this time".
Mr Cummins who's due to step down from his position at the end of this month was also asked about the controversy surrounding the closure of Castlerea fire station 5 years ago.
He says any review of fire services in the county may decide to open some stations but close others.
"In actual fact there's a bigger area in south Roscommon with no fire station and there's a plethora of stations in north Roscommon. An annual review will have to consider all that. I think the review will call for the closure of some and the reopening of another. South Roscommon does not have a fire station yet there's a fire station in Elphin, Strokestown, and Boyle. Does that make sense? I don't think it does".
And finally on the issue of the councils efforts to resolve the flooding issue at Lough Funshinagh, the Chief Executive says he had tried his best to fight for the families who live in the area.
While not optimistic on any resolution in the short term, Mr Cummins says at least people know that everything possible was tried to help them.
"I did everything humanly possible. Everything I did was done legally and I'd have done the exact same again. At least the people know that I tried and the government tried".
