About the Project

Project Overview

Westmeath County Council is working in partnership with Longford County Council and in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to develop a scheme along a section of the N4 between Mullingar and Longford (Roosky). This 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.

Need for the Project

The N4/M4 national primary route is 198km in length and connects Dublin (M50) to Sligo. The route passes through the counties of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo and provides connectivity and accessibility between various towns and villages it serves.

This section of the N4 is currently operating with traffic levels in excess of those catered for by the current road cross section. Safety is compromised with over 500 at-grade junctions and private accesses along this section of the N4. The project aims to improve the section of the N4 between Mullingar and Longford (Roosky), including the assessment of alternatives. 

National Policy Context

The project is referenced in a number of policy documents including but not limited to Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework (2018) and Project Ireland 2040 National Development Plan (2018 – 2027).

Project Objectives

National transport planning is focused on improving transport systems through a Common Appraisal Framework based on six criteria:

• Economy;
• Safety;
• Environment;
• Accessibility and Social Inclusion;
• Integration; and
• Physical Activity (where applicable)

In accordance with TII Project Appraisal Guidelines, objectives for the project have been established in the context of these six criteria. These objectives will be refined as the project progresses and more information becomes available. These Project Objectives are contained in the Phase 1 Project Brief which is available to download here.

Appraisal Heading	Objective
Economy	To support the economic performance of the local and wider North-West region through the provision of improved transport infrastructure which will reduce the cost of travel for communities, businesses, visitors and tourists and assist in reducing the overall cost of production thereby improving competitiveness.
Safety	To reduce the frequency and severity of collisions by providing safer transport for all.
Environment	To minimise where possible the environmental impact of the transport intervention. To improve air quality in the various settlements along the corridor. To reduce the level of noise in the various settlements along the corridor.
Accessibility & Social Inclusion	To improve accessibility to key facilities, such as employment, education and healthcare for all transport users, but in particular vulnerable groups. To reduce travel costs in the region and thereby encourage and support investment and employment in the wider region.
Integration	To improve the connectivity and coherence of the national and Trans-European Transport networks. To improve transport links between the Greater Dublin Area and North West of Ireland. To be compatible with land use objectives as set out in regional and local land use plans.
Physical Activity	To provide opportunities for Non-Motorised Users as part the transport intervention.

Previous Studies

Previously a Preferred Route Corridor and Route Selection report were published in July 2010 but at that time the National Roads Authority (NRA) advised that due to funding restrictions further work on the project was to be suspended.  Due to changes in environmental legislation, design standards and in order to comply with the requirements of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Public Spending Code, it is now necessary to fully re-appraise the proposed project through the TII Project Management Process, including Concept and Feasibility, Options Selection, Design and Environmental Evaluation and the Statutory Processes. As a result, studies carried out over a decade ago must be revisited.

Study Area & Constraints

ROD-AECOM has defined a study area and are in the process of identifying artificial and natural constraints within the study area, as well as external parameters. These include local Economic, Engineering and Environmental constraints.