Varadkar turns the sod on the N5 Ballaghaderreen Bypass scheme

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar today (Friday) turned the sod on the N5 Ballaghaderreen Bypass scheme, which will make a huge difference to the road network in the North West.

The project will remove a significant bottleneck on the N5 and dramatically improve the quality of life in Ballaghaderreen. It’s being funded directly from the Exchequer and will take two years to construct.
Speaking at the sod turning, Minister Varadkar said the project will benefit motorists and hauliers, and should enhance efforts to market the North West as a tourism region by improving access.
“In these straitened times it’s unusual to announce the start of a significant road project. Anyone who has travelled to the North West, particularly hauliers, will be familiar with this bottleneck. So this is a significant day for motorists, for hauliers, and particularly for local residents,” Minister Varadkar said.
“Road access to most parts of the country has improved dramatically in recent years. However, the quality of road access remains an issue to the North West. The Longford bypass opened earlier this year, and work is underway at the Downs on the Mullingar. The new bypass at Ballaghaderreen will further enhance the road network in the North West region.”
The Chairman of the NRA, Peter Malone, said: ‘The Ballaghaderreen Bypass is an important project because it will deliver much needed safety improvements and allow for improved access to and throughout the region. The National Roads Authority has seen first-hand the benefits delivered from similar schemes from around the country and looks forward to its completion’.