Leas-cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Dan McCarthy, opened the N52 Rathconnell Re-alignment scheme on Monday.
Speaking at the official opening, Cllr McCarthy praised the scheme for its improvements to road safety and stated that he “looked forward to the day when the N52 between Mullingar and Clonmellon would be completed to this high standard”.
This re-alignment project, which was supported and funded by the National Roads Authority, is part of an ongoing series of improvements on the N52 route between Tyrrellspass and Clonmellon. The project, which is consistent with Westmeath County Council’s policy to enhance the strategic transportation infrastructure within the county, complements other recent re-alignment projects on the route including the 2.4km Billistown re-alignment project, the 1.9km Macetown re-alignment project, and the Mullingar to Belvedere scheme completed in 2007.
The Rathconnell scheme was designed by Westmeath County Council’s road design section. Construction of the road, consisting of one kilometre of single carriageway, was carried out in two phases commencing in May 2008 and completed in December 2009.
Construction of phase one was carried out by the Mullingar Area Office of Westmeath County Council and phase two, which completed the tie-ins, was carried out by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd., Stradbally East, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. The overall cost of the scheme was €3 million, reflected in the high quality of the finished road.
The completion of this scheme, together with previous improvement works along the route, will have considerable benefits for the region. The improved road quality has enhanced road safety and decreased journey times, which will facilitate development and employment activity in the area.
Westmeath County Council will continue to improve this strategic route, with projects currently at an advanced design stage for the Carrick Bridge to Clonfad section south of Mullingar and for the Rathconnell to Macetown section north of Mullingar.
Westmeath County Council also wishes to acknowledge the ongoing financial support of the National Roads Authority.
