Background
The N55 is a key regional route connecting Athlone to Cavan Town, and onward to Enniskillen via the N3. Several improvement projects have already been completed along this corridor:
- Section A: Corduff to South of Killydoon (3.2 km realignment) – Opened in 2018
- Section B: Ballytrust to Mullahoran (3.7 km realignment) – Substantially completed in December 2024
These upgrades have significantly improved the rural sections of the N55 between Cavan Town and the Longford border. The section currently under review through Ballinagh remains the missing link in this strategic corridor.
This section is substandard in terms of alignment and visibility. Despite this being a critical national secondary road, the N55 is subject to a stop controlled staggered T-junction, with the R154 having priority in the centre of Ballinagh. The town experiences high volumes of both local and through traffic, including a significant number of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), contributing to congestion, safety concerns, and an unfriendly environment for vulnerable road users (VRUs).