Two significant upgrades along the N4 have been included in the Department of Transport's National Development Plan.
It is hoped that construction can commence on the Carrick-on-Shannon bypass by 2028.
The project is currently at the Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case stage.
The project is costed in the €250m- €500m range and aims to address long-standing traffic congestion issues affecting Carrick-on-Shannon.
When completed, it is expected to include a new bypass route and associated traffic management measures within the town.
Further along the corridor, the N4 Mullingar to Longford project has also been confirmed as part of the Government's pipeline of major national roads.
Construction is expected there post-2030.
While exact route options and design details remain subject to further appraisal and planning, the project is expected to deliver a modern, safer, higher-capacity corridor replacing one of the last remaining unimproved sections of the N4.
Local TD Mícheál Carrigy says it will have a number of knock-on benefits:
Minister of State Marian Harkin says the investment is needed:
Newly-appointed Minister of State Frank Feighan has also welcomed the measures:
