BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
A bypass of Ballaghaderreen has been under consideration for over twenty years and has been included as an objective of Roscommon County Council in the Roscommon County Development Plans and the associated Ballaghaderreen Town Development Plans since 1993.
SITUATION PRE-BYPASS
The ‘old’ N5 within the study area was characterised by poor alignment, deficient cross section and frequent junctions with the local road network and properties along the route. Two major roads were routed through Ballaghaderreen town centre, namely the ‘old’ N5 National Primary Route and the R293 Regional Road.
The R293 links Ballymote in County Sligo to Ballyhaunis in County Mayo and is an important link serving the region. Within the town of Ballaghaderreen, the ‘old’ N5 loses priority at its intersection with the Regional Road R293. This junction (known locally as ‘Flannery’s corner’) is particularly restrictive and hinders turning movements by heavy goods vehicles leading to frequent traffic congestion particularly during peak times.
PLANNING STAGES
The Constraints Study began in May 2000 and collated all constraints of an engineering, environmental, economic and legislative nature, within the study area, that could potentially hinder the development of Route Corridors. The associated report, completed in September 2002 was used to inform the next stage in the development of the Project.
The Route Selection and Preliminary Design processes began in 2002 and concluded in 2006 with the adoption and approval of the identified route by the elected members of Roscommon County Council.
The lands required to construct and operate the project were subsequently identified and included in a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) published by Roscommon County Council on the 12th November 2007. The CPO was duly approved by An Bórd Pleanála on the 26th September 2008.
SUMMARY LAND ACQUISITION
Total land acquisition Approx. 123 hectares (305 acres)
Houses acquired 2 No.
No of landowners listed in CPO 121 No.
No. of land plots listed in CPO 408 No.
THE PROJECT
The N5 Ballaghaderreen Bypass project forms part of the N5 National primary route which extends from Westport to Longford town. The project is approximately 13.5km long, commences at the N5 Charlestown bypass, approximately 6km north west of Ballaghaderreen in the townland of Currinah, is crossed by the R293 Regional route approximately 2km north east of Ballaghaderreen at Tonroe and rejoins the existing N5 approximately 8km east of Ballaghaderreen in the townland of Rathkeery.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS:
• Construction of approx. 13.5km of Type 1 Single Carriageway
National Primary road;
• Construction of a grade separated junction with the R293 facilitating
access to Ballaghaderreen Town;
• Construction of six bridge structures including the Lung River Bridge;
• Construction of at-grade junctions and realignment of local roads as
appropriate (approx. 7.5km);
• Accommodation works associated with the affected landowners
including the construction of approx. 10km of access tracks;
• Amendments and diversions to existing services; and
• Provision of mitigation measures, public lighting, signing, lining and
other works ancillary to the construction and operation of the road
project.
PROJECT CONSTRUCTION STAGE- SUMMARY
Employer: Roscommon County Council
Contractor: Wills Bros Ltd.
Employer’s Representative: Halcrow Barry Ltd., Consulting Engineers
Form of Contract: Design and Build
Conditions of Contract: Public Works Contract for Civil Engineering Works Designed by the Contractor.
Contract Start Date: 02 November 2012
Time for Completion: 116 Weeks
Date of Opening: 02 September 2014
BUDGET
The Total Scheme Budget for the scheme is e60 million (This includes all costs associated with the project including design costs land etc). The project opened 3 months ahead of schedule and within budget.
Main Image: Cutting the Ribbon – Cllr Kathleen Shanagher, Jimmy Coogan, Sean Beirne, Charles Wills, Senator John Kelly, Cllr Maura Hopkins, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, Cllr Michael Creaton, Frank Feighan TD, Cllr Ivan Connaughton , Cllr. John Cummins, Cathaoirleach Roscommon County Council, John O’Mahony TD.
