'Delight' that N55 is set to reopen next week as progress made on south Longford project

The reopening of the N55 next week following critical upgrade works to replace over 5.4km of aged water mains with new pipes in the Ballymahon area has been welcomed by local representatives.

Longford County Council has confirmed that the road closure on the N55 between Ballymahon and Edgeworthstown will remain in place until Wednesday, December 3.

This is required to facilitate roadworks at Fowlard's Bridge.

After that date the N55 will reopen but lane closures will be in place to facilitate the ongoing Uisce Éireann water main works and the completion of the roadworks.

Local Fine Gael Councillor Paul Ross said he was very pleased to hear the positive update and it is big boost to local residents and business owners.

"It's very welcome news it's going to be finished in a timely fashion.

"It's great that the road will be open ahead of the Christmas period and we can live with a stop-go system on the N55 on to Ballymahon.

Cllr Ross said there has been no major bursts or outages recently and it was very encouraging.

"We haven't experienced any bursts in the last month since works began."

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Toole said he is delighted by the announcement and the imminent reopening.

"It's great to see it reopening, it's a few days behind schedule as it was supposed to reopen on the 29th but I think everyone will be very pleased.

"It's a massive project and I am delighted to see the Uisce Éireann aspect going to plan."

Cllr O'Toole said he is aware the works will soon move from the Doory Crossroads area to the Carrickedmond Church area and after that stretch is finished the full water main will be in place.

"Then they will start connecting up households, farms and businesses and it should be finished by February or March."

Cllr O'Toole said there will subsequently be a focus on the final stretch of water main replacement works on the N55 from the Toome Crossroads area to Center Parcs.

"When everyone is connected up to the new water mains we shouldn't have the issues we had to deal with for the last number of years."

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