A preferred route option for the N4 Mullingar to Longford upgrade has been announced. It comes as part of an initiative to develop one of the largest unimproved section of the route. The 52km section of the N4 is a single carriageway road that passes through or close to several settlements, including Ballinalack, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown, Longford, and Newtownforbes. This section accounts for approximately 25% of the entire N4/M4 corridor. The road services more than 17,500 vehicles per day and features more than 500 junctions and direct accesses.
A high number of collisions reported between 2008 and 2023 on this particular section of the road have prompted planners and the county councils involved to propose enhancement works along the route. A preferred option has been announced for the road, which is a significant step forward in the process of getting the improvement works started. The project is now heading into the next phase of planning and design, which will involve a preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment, extensive engineering and development of multi-modal transport solutions. The Project Team will be consulting locals to ensure the plan fully commits to their needs.
