Leitrim bypass project receives €1.3 M in government funding

The Department of Transport has confirmed a funding allocation of €1.3 million for the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod bypass project in Leitrim. 

The allocation is part of a €502 million package, announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien today, for national roads in 2025, aimed at improving road infrastructure across Ireland.

The bypass, a key infrastructure development in Leitrim, has been a long-discussed project aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety between Carrick-on-Shannon and Dromod. The allocated funding will help progress the project, which has been in the planning stages for some time.

Currently, there is only one crossing point of the River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon: a narrow masonry arch bridge, dating from 1846, which is substandard in terms of alignment and cross-section, according to the project's website.

"This is a positive step forward for the local community and a necessary development for the region's road network," said Deputy Feighan in a statement.

The funding for the Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod bypass is part of a larger package for road projects across the region, with projects in Roscommon, Sligo, and other counties also receiving funding boosts. Notably, the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge project is set to receive €88 million, a critical investment in the infrastructure of that area.

This investment is part of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030, which prioritizes the renewal and improvement of national roads to meet increasing demands. The funding will support ongoing road safety initiatives, pavement renewal, and essential maintenance work—vital to keeping Ireland's national road network up to standard, particularly in the face of more frequent adverse weather events in recent years.

“We’ve long called for fairer regional investment, and today’s announcement marks real progress. These roads are not just tarmac — they’re lifelines for families, businesses, and rural services. This funding is a big step forward for Sligo, Leitrim and the Northwest as a whole," Said Sligo-Leitrim TD, Marian Harkin.

As part of the broader allocation, €98 million will also go toward national roads through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), while local authorities across the country will receive approximately €33 million for the regular maintenance of national roads.

The Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod bypass project is expected to bring considerable benefits, including easing congestion, improving traffic flow, and enhancing road safety for local residents and visitors alike. However, it remains to be seen when work on the bypass will fully commence, with the €1.3 million allocation marking a key step in the process.

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