The absence of funding is now the only thing that will prevent the start of work on the new N4 road from Collooney to Castlebaldwin.
The scheme, estimated to cost in the region of €100m, is listed as a ‘key investment priority’ in the government’s published Capital Investment Programme 2016-2022.
However, the council has not yet been given an indication of when it will get the money for the main construction contract.
For decades, the condition of the N4 from Collooney to Castlebaldwin has been in the news, particularly with an average of one person every year having lost their life on the road during the past 30 years.
This week, it was again making headlines with another campaign group taking its case to the outside of the Dail.
However, it’s clear from a report given to Sligo councillors at a meeting this week that with all stages of the N4 project now progressing on time, money will be the only obstacle to actual work starting.
It will be the biggest ever capital scheme of its kind in the North West, and the preperatory work on it is continuing apace.
Archaeological works along the route, on-site ground investigations and production of a digital terrain model are to be finished in the third quarter of this year.
Demolitions of eight houses acquired by CPO is to be completed this month.
Working is continuing on diverting services such as telecoms and ESB.
In relation to land purchase, 101 out of 135 agreements have been finalised with landowners.
Consultants to prepare the contracts for the design and building of the road are to be appointed in April, with the contracts documents ready by September.
All of this means that all advance works contracts are to be complete this year, putting Sligo County Council in a position to seek a contractor at the end of the year.
And by that time, everyone is hoping it will not be a case of . . . where’s the money?
