Preferred Transport Solution - Public Display

Cavan County Council, in partnership with Meath County Council and in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is progressing the development of the N3 Virginia Bypass scheme to deliver a sustainable solution for transportation problems identified along the N3 through Virginia Town and environs. Cavan County Council has appointed Barry Transportation as Technical Advisors to provide the Engineering, Environmental, Economic and Appraisal services required to deliver the Scheme through the planning and design Phases 1 to 4 inclusive in accordance with TII Project Management Guidelines.

Significant safety and transportation issues have been identified within the study area for the N3 Virginia Bypass scheme; whereby Virginia Town and its environs experience a level of both local and through traffic using the N3 that is contributing to poor safety and congestion within the town centre and environs.

A key driver for the project is to ensure that all elements of transport, including public transport, active travel (walking and cycling) and demand management (speed limit amendments and a HGV ban, except for deliveries within the town), are working together to achieve a sustainable solution and to minimise the impact to the natural and built environment.

The project is currently at the end of Phase 2 (Options Selection). The Option Selection process for the proposed Scheme has been undertaken in accordance with TII’s Project Management Guidelines, in combination with TII’s Project Appraisal Guidelines, and applicable regulations and guidance.  An Emerging Preferred Option for the scheme was announced in August 2021, followed by a non-statutory period of Public Consultation seeking feedback on the Emerging Preferred Option.  Submissions and feedback received were reviewed and considered by the Project Team. It was determined that there was no substantially new and/or additional information which would result in an amendment to the previously presented Emerging Preferred Option (EPO) Corridor. However, the junction corridor areas were reviewed and some of these areas have been amended in shape and reduced in size. In addition, corridors were developed depicting areas where side roads may be realigned and active travel infrastructure may be provided.

Preferred Transport Solution

The Preferred Transport Solution for the Scheme, which comprises active travel, public transport, and demand management components in conjunction with new road infrastructure, is presented in the map. The map shows an indicative mainline alignment within the road-based corridor, potential junction locations and side road and active travel corridors. The road-based corridor is typically 300m wide, with some localised widening to allow for further refine of the design in Phase 3 (Design and Environmental Evaluation). This corridor does not represent the actual width of the scheme nor the lands to be acquired – the corridor indicates the lands within which the scheme could be developed.

Public Display

A public display of the Preferred Transport Solution will begin on 16th May 2023 and will run until 16th June 2023.

The Option Selection Report, which documents the process of selecting the Preferred Transport Solution and outlines the rationale and criteria applied in the selection of the solution, will be published online at 4pm on Tuesday 16th May 2023. The report and associated documents and display drawings can be accessed by the public in the following ways:

They can be viewed or downloaded:

• from the project website: n3virginiabypass.ie
• via the Online / Virtual Room: https://www.innovision.ie/n3virginiabypass

 They can also be inspected at the following offices of Cavan County Council:

• Customer Services Desk, Second Floor, Johnston Centre, Farnham Street, Cavan H12 C9K1.
• Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Office - Courthouse, Virginia, Co. Cavan A82 F8C8.
• Large scale drawings will be on display in the window of Virginia Show Centre, The Showgrounds, Virginia, Co. Cavan A82 A9X2

Next Steps

Following Selection of the Preferred Transport Solution, Phase 3 (Design and Environmental Evaluation) will commence, subject to approval to proceed. The purpose of this phase is to develop the design of the Transport Solution, including the mainline alignment, junction and side road arrangements, active travel facilities, transport park and share hubs (mobility hubs), and land take requirements. As the design reaches a level of maturity where informed discussions can take place, the N3 Virginia Bypass team will consult directly with impacted land and property owners on the developing design.

The project team is keen to engage with land and property owners impacted by the Preferred Transport Solution.  Anyone affected by the Preferred Transport Solution or with an interest in the scheme is encouraged to make an appointment to speak with the Project Liaison Officer by email at n3virginiabypass@jbbarry.ie or by phone on (01) 485 1400 (during normal working hours).