New dual carriageway to link Mullingar and Longford – Boxer

The 10-year National Development Plan, which is being published on Friday, will detail how government will invest around €430m in a new dual carriageway between Mullingar and Longford Minister of State, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has said.

Minister Moran described as ‘transformative’ the proposed investment that will have a major impact on economic activity and inward investment in for both Longford and Mullingar.

Friday’s announcement is expected to reveal that N4 between Mullingar and Longford will be earmarked for upgrading to dual carriageway status at a cost of around €430m.

“As everyone knows, this is an extremely busy stretch of roadway and the objective is to improve access to the west and north west and to address the safety concerns associated with the route.

“I understand that the N4 Mullingar to Longford project is likely to be of dual carriageway standard and 50km in length and would cost approximately €460m.

“This is also great news for the constituency of Longford Westmeath, ensuring greater ease of access along the N4 and opening up the potential of further investment and growth between Mullingar and Longford,” said Minister Moran.

“Both Minister Ross and I have travelled this lengthy of road a number of times recently and I impressed upon him the necessity to have it upgraded. 

“He immediately saw how such an investment would open up access to both the west and north west that would boost economic activity in the region,” said Minister Moran.

“Friday’s announcement follow recent major investment by government in the infrastructure of the region, including the bringing of gas to Ballymahon from Athlone. 

“This is the kind of investment in infrastructure that can transform an area’s economic fortune and I am delighted to be in a position in government to ensure that the constituency of Longford Westmeath is at the heart of major decisions.”