N5 Mayo bypass safety scheme plans unveiled

TWO overbridges and a central median to divide the road are among the proposals that have gone out for public consultation in a scheme to address safety on the N5 Swinford bypass.

The overbridges would bring traffic up and over the N5, with one servicing the Kiltimagh Road while the second one would facilitate traffic heading to Kilkelly and also Kilbride/Barnacogue and Cullane. The Kilkelly overbridge also caters for vehicles coming from the Dublin direction and heading on to Ballina and north Mayo.

An options report also features roundabouts at either end of the bypass, while a central divide would separate the two lanes of traffic along the route, with no right turns off it as a result.

Mayo County Council has hosted a non-statutory in-person public consultation day, with stakeholders, landowners and members of the public invited to view the short-listed project options. Feedback is invited before an emerging preferred option is identified.

The section of the N5 under consideration is the Swinford bypass extending from the L5380 Lislackagh junction to the L1331 Culmore junction.

Councillor Adrian Forkan has welcomed this 'huge step forward' on the scheme with the launch of the project options public consultation phase.

“I have pushed for the progression of this project as a necessity at every opportunity since becoming a member of Mayo County Council. This project has the capacity - by removing all right turns - to make one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the country into one of the safest,” he commented.

Additionally, he said: “I am seeking that active travel, including walking and cycle lanes, are given high priority during the design of the project no matter which routes are selected.”

Councillor Forkan encouraged all landowners and residents who may be impacted by the proposals to engage with the public consultation process, adding: “I will work with them on this where required.”

The project will run in phases - public consultation, route selection, planning, design and construction, with the construction phase due to commence in 2030 if all phases run to plan, he explained.

“Over the years too many lives have been lost on this stretch of road and I hope this project will go a long way in making the Swinford bypass safer for the future for all,” he added.

There are 11 junctions along the 5.9km bypass. Its collision history combined with the volume of traffic movements onto, off and across the road highlight the need for long-term safety interventions.

With that in mind, route improvements focused around the existing junctions have been developed for the project.

To complement the targeted junction improvements, it is proposed to introduce a 'divided road' - a road where traffic travelling in opposite directions is separated by a central division, such as a median, safety barrier or other feature. Divided roads reduce the risk of head-on collisions, prioritise road safety and permit the retention of a 100km/h speed limit.

Over the coming months, the project team will review feedback and more detailed studies will be carried out.

This first non-statutory public consultation focuses on the shortlisted project options, as well as the study area and constraints. A further non-statutory public consultation is expected in early 2027 on the emerging preferred option.

This first round of public consultation is now open until October 30. Feedback can be sent by post to Project Engineer, N5 Swinford Bypass Safety Scheme, Mayo National Roads Office, Glenpark House, The Mall, Castlebar, F23 XF40; digitally using the digital feedback form at n5swinfordbypasssafetyscheme.ie, or email nro@mayococo.ie.

A virtual consultation room with full details is available at n5swinfordbypasssafetyscheme.ie, where project information can be viewed and feedback submitted until Friday, October 30.