Motorists travelling on a busy Tipperary road will not face a planned three-week closure in November, after the council postponed the works until next year.
Tipperary County Council previously published their intention to close R498 at Latteragh for almost three weeks in November, starting on November 2, running until November 20.
However, the council has now said that the road will not need to be closed until the new year.
“A proposal to close the R498 regional road at the works location was recently advertised, however this road closure will not be proceeding in November 2026.
“It is likely that a full road closure will be required in Q1 2027 when further key phases of pavement works are scheduled,” they added.
Contractors are currently working on a major realignment of the Latteragh road, known as the Latteragh Bends project, which is the largest regional road project currently under construction in the country, according to the council.
“It is also the most complex and capital-intensive road construction project undertaken directly by Tipperary County Council since delivery of the M7 and M8 motorway projects,” the council said in a statement.
The project is 70pc complete, and remains on track for delivery in the second quarter of 2027.
While the project continues, the council have said that traffic management arrangements are still in place at a number of locations on the route.
Wills Bros are the contractors on the project, which involves the realignment of more than four kilometres of road between Nenagh and Thurles.
The project required the compulsory purchase of land from more than 30 landowners.
The Department of Transport have allocated €20million in funding towards the project, while a further €4million had been allocated to cover the design fees, consultants and landowner compensation.
Speaking last year, north Tipperary TD Michael Lowry said that the scheme is vital to ensure that the busy road is made safer for all road users.
“I am delighted with this project because the Latteragh road is a major piece of vital infrastructure which will be dramatically improved after this investment,” the north Tipperary TD said.
The council have thanked residents, landowners, businesses and road users for their patience and cooperation while the important improvement works are being delivered.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme