Completion of N59 west Mayo road to Mulranny could cost close to €100m
West Mayo councillors told that the N59 contractor has agreed to adjust traffic management to ease traffic delays
A SENIOR engineer with Mayo County Council confirmed that the TII have agreed to complete the next stage of the N59 upgrade to Mulranny in one stage but it could cost close to €100 million.
An update on the upgrade of 5km of the N59 from Newport to Derradda was given to members of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District who were informed that the project is 31 percent completed and it is anticipated to be fully completed by October 2027.
The current €32 million project comprises both on-line road widening and off-line road construction, with enhancements to sections of the existing Great Western Greenway including the construction of approximately 1km of off-road cycleway/walkway as well as a signature Greenway bridge structure over the N59.
Construction on the project was started by Fox Building and Engineering Ltd in March 2025 and Paul Hyland, a Senior Executive Engineer with the Mayo National Roads Design Office admitted that the ground conditions on the site are 'extremely difficult' and challenging and the cost per kilometre was approximately €9m.
The upgrade of the remainder of the N59 to Mulranny had been due to take place in two phases but Achill councillor Paul McNamara had asked for it to be completed in one phase to avoid years for disruption.
Mr Hyland said following discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), they agreed to do this but funding to complete a detailed design for this section has not yet been secured.
“We didn't get funding in 2026 for that but we are hoping to tie up everything later this year to commence that procurement for a consultant to do the detailed design which will take approximately 12-18 months,” he said.
Cllr McNamara asked for the next phase to start before the current project is completed but Mr Hyland this will depend on the TII allocating funding for the project.
“We were very lucky to get the funding for this project given the challenges of TII funding a couple of years ago and ultimately that will be their call. Combining the two phases into one will cost approximately €80-90 million so that would be a huge investment in the N59 by TII and they will have to consider that in context of other national projects that will need funding as well,” he said.
Cllr McNamara also raised the delays motorists have experienced due to the roadworks and said that a better traffic management system has to be put in place. He pointed out that two weeks ago, it took motorists three and a half hours to get from Castlebar to Achill and these type of delays were unacceptable.
“Newport is a small community and the last thing they want is people not stopping or shopping because of delays in traffic,” he said.
Mr Hyland agreed that on one weekend the traffic light system was overwhelmed and the contractor agreed to revisit the traffic management system particularly on weekends.
“We met with the contractor after that [weekend] and they made adjustments to traffic flows and shortened areas between two sets of lights. They committed that if they are overwhelmed they will override the lights with men who will man the traffic.
“We will continue to monitor it over summer months and hopefully calm down to normal levels. Hopefully by this time next year, the majority of works completed and delays from traffic management will be a lot less,” he said.