A local councillor has said a new road between Roscommon and Athlone must remain a priority due to increased road concerns.
Previous plans to upgrade the road with a bypass of Knockcroghery village were suspended last year by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Independent councillor Laurence Fallon was speaking following the recent deaths of three people in a road traffic accident on the N80 in County Carlow.
The N80 has also been subject to a number of safety concerns and, like the N61, upgrade works had been mooted in recent years.
Speaking to Shannonside News, Cllr Fallon said the N61 route was now 'high-risk':