Latest Improvement on N52 Officially Complete: N52 Phase 2 Between Cloghan and Billistown Opens

This latest sectional completion between Cloghan and Billistown completes a significant safety improvement along the N52 corridor which is one of the country’s busiest secondary routes that connects Ardee, Kells, Mullingar, Tullamore, Birr and Nenagh.

This completion allows for a consistent alignment of the N52 national secondary route between Turin and Billistown in Co. Westmeath improving overall road user safety.
 
This project is 6km in length and ties into the 3.5km that was completed in 2018. Together with the previous route improvements a continuous Type 1 single carriageway from the N4/N52 Junction 16 at Mullingar to south of Delvin has now been completed (a distance of approximately 17km north of Mullingar). 
 
Geraldine Fitzpatrick, Head of Roads Capital Programme for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said:  “The N52 is an important national secondary route that traverses the country from the northeast to the southwest and improving its overall safety is a key priority. I want to thank our colleagues in Westmeath County Council, TII’s project team along with Fox Building and Engineering Ltd, as well as Barry Transportation for the successful completion of this important project during these challenging times.” 
 
Cllr. Ken Glynn, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council said: “We are thankful for the support of TII and for the co-operation of landowners, local residents, Elected Members, staff and the general public throughout the planning and construction stages of this project; it is very much appreciated. This project completion assists greatly in providing a safe and efficient transport link that is critical to the economic development of Westmeath and surrounding counties.
 
Key Benefits and Background:
 
  • The project will cater for the existing traffic demand and future traffic growth whilst also providing a safer transport corridor for years beyond the design year. 
  • The scheme is consistent with national transport policy in that its completion will give effect to policy objectives contained within the National Planning Framework, Project Ireland 2040 and the Regional Economic and Spatial Strategy as it will also improve access from Dundalk to Nenagh. 
  • The proposed development will contribute to the advancement of economic development and competitiveness objectives through the provision of improved transport-based connectivity both within the Midland region and between the Midlands and the northeast.  
  • Road Safety continues to be an important issue, particularly on the national secondary single carriageway network. The old route had no hard-shoulders and had limited verge space and was a sub-standard alignment for its 80kph special speed limit. Safety was further compromised by the number of junctions, private residential and field accesses and the lack of overtaking opportunities. This project will significantly enhance road safety for both private and public transport on this stretch of the N52.
  • The project will enhance the inter-connectivity between the national road network and other transport modes such as airports and ports.
  • The project will have a positive benefit to the economy in terms of savings on time and collision reduction.
  • Mainline length 6.0 km, Total side-road length – approximately 1.4 km.
  • Design speed, mainline 100km/h.
  • Mainline cross section 7.3m carriageway, 2 no. 2.5m hard shoulders and minimum 2 no. 3m grass verges.
  • Junctions mainline: Three ghost island junctions; one at the L-1618 (Turin), one in Williamstown / Ballygillin to service the local road network and another in Hiskinstown (St Tolas/Killucan & Killulagh). Simple junctions will be required for the cul-de-sac immediately south of Turin (L-16094), the L-5620 north (Fennor) and the L-5621 north (Battstown), southern sides to become cul-de-sacs.