Longford County Council Appoints Contractor for R392 Ballymahon Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme

Construction to commence in the coming weeks on €1.4 million Active Travel project

Press Release: Monday, 10 August 2026 

Longford County Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Tower Civil Engineering Ltd., Tullamore, as the main works contractor for the R392 Ballymahon Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme. The contract for the construction phase of the project has now been signed, with works expected to commence from Tuesday, 18 August.

The €1.4 million project is being funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) through its Active Travel Programme and has been designed by CST Group Consulting Engineers in partnership with Longford County Council’s Active Travel Team.

The scheme will deliver approximately 350 metres of new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure along the R392 Ballymahon to Lanesborough Road, extending from the Moigh Road Junction to St. Matthew’s National School. Construction is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete.

The project represents a significant investment in sustainable transport infrastructure and road safety in Ballymahon. The provision of a new two-way cycle track will create a safer and more attractive route for cyclists and pedestrian, improving accessibility and comfort for all users including local residents, school children and visitors to the town Additional measures include two new raised zebra crossings on the R392 to provide safer crossing points for pedestrians and other traffic calming measures including narrowed carriageway, gateway signage and raised crossing points, helping to reduce vehicle speeds and improve road safety.

• School zones will be established at St. Matthew’s National School and Ballymahon Vocational School to create safer environments for students, staff and parents.
• The existing ESB overhead network will be placed underground, with the removal of utility poles helping to improve the visual appearance of the area. 
• New public lighting will be installed along the route to enhance visibility and safety for all road users.
• The project will also include the installation of new surface water drainage infrastructure to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding.

The completed scheme will provide substantial benefits for the community, including improved road safety, reduced vehicle speeds, enhanced accessibility, greater priority for pedestrians and cyclists, and a more attractive approach to Ballymahon town. The project will particularly benefit students attending St. Matthew’s National School, the Convent of Mercy and Ballymahon Vocational School.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Councillor Gerry Hagan, is delighted to see the project get underway, "I warmly welcome this project and the many improvements it will bring to the local community. The delivery of safer footpaths, a dedicated cycle track, new pedestrian crossings and enhanced school zones will make a real difference for families, schoolchildren and residents. This is a positive investment in the future of Ballymahon, and I am pleased to see these long-awaited improvements progressing."

The successful delivery of the project has been made possible through the cooperation and support of local stakeholders, landowners and educational partners. Longford County Council wishes to sincerely acknowledge the assistance of Fr. Liam Murray and St. Mel’s Diocesan Trust, St. Matthew’s National School, Ballymahon Vocational School, John Nally and Enda Connerton, who facilitated the project through the provision of lands required for the scheme.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council,  Samantha Healy, believes the project will be a major boost to Ballymahon, "Longford County Council is delighted to advance this important road improvement scheme, which will deliver significant benefits for residents, students and all road users in Ballymahon. The project represents a substantial investment in active travel, road safety and public infrastructure, providing enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists while creating a safer environment around our schools. This scheme will help support sustainable travel choices and improve the overall quality of life for those living, working and studying in the area and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on the community for many years to come."

Longford County Council advises that temporary traffic management measures, including periodic lane closures, will be necessary during the construction phase. Every effort will be made by the Council and Tower Civil Engineering Ltd. to minimise disruption and complete the works as efficiently as possible.

The contract signing was attended by members of the Ballymahon Municipal District, including Cathaoirleach Cllr. Gerry Hagan, councillors and council officials, representatives of the Active Travel Team, CST Group Consulting Engineers and Tower Civil Engineering Ltd.