The long-awaited development of a new carriageway between Longford and Mullingar, Co Westmeath has been given significant boost with the confirmation of a preferred route.
The 52km section of single carriageway, which is used by 17,500 vehicles a day, has been beset by funding issues and delays for years.
However, last year Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the State agency in charge of Ireland's road and public transport infrastructure, provided €1.4m towards the project.
Westmeath County Council, in conjunction with Longford County Council confirmed that the next phase of the project - the design and environmental evaluation process - is now under way.
In a statement, the local authority said it will engage and consult with landowners directly impacted and feedback will be considered, and amendments may be made, where feasible, before finalising the design.
A public consultation process took place last summer with over 150 submissions lodged.
The N4 Mullingar to Longford road currently passes through, or close to, a number of towns and villages including Ballinalack, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown and Newtownforbes.
The local authority said this particular section of the road accounts for around 25% of the entire N4/M4 corridor and is the largest unimproved section of this route.
It also said the section of road continues to see high collision statistics, with over 200 personal injury collisions reported between 2008 and 2023.
Of these collisions, 20 resulted in fatalities and 35 resulted in serious injuries.
It is hoped the improved road network will improve road safety and also benefit connectivity in the region, enhancing the overall accessibility to the west and northwest.
The local authority said that it will also strengthen tourism in the region.
It also said the new road aims to reduce traffic levels within the towns and villages which are along the current road.
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