Calls for Urgent Funding to Upgrade Hazardous N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road
Ardee News and Sport – Calls for Urgent Funding to Upgrade Hazardous N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road
A long-awaited upgrade to the dangerous N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road is edging closer to reality, as Junior Transport Minister Jerry Buttimer has vowed to “make a case” for securing the much-needed funding. The perilous stretch of roadway has been the site of numerous fatal accidents, leaving families devastated and communities pleading for action.
Speaking in the Seanad, Deputy Buttimer underscored the urgency of addressing the “high accident rate” on the N2, which has tragically claimed an “incredible” number of lives in recent years. “The number of fatalities is incredible; people have lost their lives, and families are without their loved ones,” he stated, giving the strongest indication yet that a long-overdue infrastructural overhaul could soon be realized.
Since 2018, both Louth and Monaghan County Councils, in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), have been striving to upgrade the existing route. However, progress has been hampered by funding shortfalls, with no State-backed financial allocation provided in 2024. The project remains in its design and environmental evaluation phase following the selection of a preferred route option.
Deputy Buttimer highlighted the significance of the N2 upgrade, not only in terms of improving safety but also in enhancing connectivity between Dublin, Monaghan, and the northwest. “This project is about connectivity, enhancing local and regional accessibility, and delivering road safety improvements for all road users,” he said.
The Cork South-Central TD further stressed that the N2 upgrade is in its strongest position yet to secure funding within TII’s multi-million euro annual budget allocation, expected in the coming weeks. “Given that it will cost less than €1 million and is a priority for cross-border connectivity, it aligns with the government’s strategy to reduce road accidents,” he added.
His comments were made in response to an appeal by Monaghan Senator Robbie Gallagher, who outlined the severe toll the road has taken on local families. “There have been 17 fatal collisions on this stretch of roadway in the past ten years and 24 fatalities in the past 18 years,” Senator Gallagher revealed. “Behind those statistics lie broken lives and families left with so much grief and a lifetime of heartache.”
The ongoing campaign for funding remains crucial, with mounting pressure on the government to deliver on long-standing commitments. If secured, the N2 upgrade promises to transform one of the most dangerous routes in the region into a safer, more efficient passage for commuters, businesses, and local communities alike.
