Council backs calls for N61 to get national primary route status

The upgrading of the N61 road between Athlone and Roscommon to a national primary route was described as being “pivotal and vital” to the future development of the entire region at the October meeting of Roscommon County Council this week.

During an update on the capital projects the Council are currently engaged in, Director of Services for roads, Shane Tiernan, spoke of the need for the N61 to be upgraded to a national primary route and said the council were “fully committed” to advancing the project as quickly as possible.

Cllr John Naughten was asked to “hold off” on a proposal for a letter be sent to An Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport outlining the urgent need for the road upgrade, which was seconded by Cllr Tony Ward.

The call to hold off on the letter was made by Roscommon County Council Chief Executive, Eugene Cummins, who said it was vitally important that the council puts its “best foot forward” with regard to the upgrade of the N61.

“There is an urgent need for a capacity increase on this road, and we need to progress out argument in a very measured way,” he said, “so I would ask Cllr Naughten to hold off on that letter to An Taoiseach just yet.”

The meeting was told by Cllr Naughten that up to 13,000 cars travel the N61 route from Athlone to Roscommon daily, so an upgrade must be prioritised. “Preferably we need a dual carriageway, or a very high quality single carriageway,” he said.

Cllr Naughten was assured the council is advancing the project with the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).