N2 Major Road Schemes - Road and Transport

MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL

Habitats Directive (EU 92/43/EEC) Screening Assessment Determination

Appropriate Assessment for Ground Investigation Works required for the Phase 3 design of the

N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme

Monaghan County Council is working in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to develop a scheme to upgrade a 28km section of the N2/A5 Dublin- Derry Road. The proposed N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme is situated in County Monaghan between Clontibret and the Northern Ireland (NI) Border. This is an important project to enhance key North/South and Regional connectivity and to improve road safety.

Ground Investigation works are required along the proposed project route to examine soils, rock and groundwater below the surface. This information will be used to inform the design process and the Environmental Impact Assessment. Different types of Ground Investigation are proposed along the length of the proposed N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme, including;

239 No. Boreholes (cable percussive, rotary core and cable percussive with rotary follow-on techniques will be used);
262 Trial Pits;
59 Pavement Cores; and
28 Slit Trenches.

The works are planned to commence in September 2024, and will be undertaken over the course of approximately 4 months.

Monaghan County Council, in accordance with Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, has undertaken Appropriate Assessment screening on the proposed N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme Ground Investigation Works to assess, in view of best scientific knowledge and the conservation objectives of the site, if the works, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, are likely to have a significant effect on a European Site(s).

It has been concluded on the basis of information provided by Jacobs Engineering Ireland in a report titled ‘N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme, Ground Investigation Works – Screening for Appropriate Assessment’ that the GI works are not connected with, or necessary to, the management of any European site(s), and individually or in combination with other plans or projects are not likely to have a significant effect on any European sites. In accordance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, Monaghan County Council has made a determination that Appropriate Assessment is not required for the works.

The ‘N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme, Ground Investigation Works – Screening for Appropriate Assessment’ report can be viewed at the offices of Monaghan County Council’s Roads & Transportation Section, Floor 2, MTEK II Building, Knockaconny, Monaghan, Monday to Friday between 9.15am and 5.15pm until the 25^th October 2024.

Dated the 21^st August 2024

Signed on behalf of the competent authority: Nicola Payne, A/ Director of Services

Transportation, Community and Rural Development

N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme

Monaghan County Council is working in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to develop a scheme to upgrade a 28km section of the N2/A5 Dublin-Derry Road. The proposed project is in County Monaghan between Clontibret and the Northern Ireland Border. This project is called the N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme.

The N2 Dublin to Derry route is a national primary road linking Dublin to Northern Ireland and the north west of the country, passing through the towns of Slane and Ardee, and bypassing Carrickmacross, Castleblayney and Monaghan before becoming the A5 as it passes through Northern Ireland. In March 2007 the Chancellor of the UK Exchequer and the Taoiseach announced a major new roads programme that included the A5 Western Transport Corridor from Aughnacloy to Derry (A5 WTC). This major infrastructural project aims to upgrade over 85km of the A5 route in Northern Ireland to a dual carriageway standard. At around this time Monaghan County Council also commenced the design process to upgrade a section of the N2 between Clontibret and the Northern Ireland Border.

A preferred route corridor was identified for the scheme in 2012 however due to the economic downturn further progress was suspended. Funding has now become available under Project Ireland 2040 to progress the planning and design of the scheme. Due to changes in environmental legislation, design standards and to comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code it will be necessary to carry out a new route selection process. To ensure the scheme complies with current standards and guidelines, all stages of the planning and design process, must be undertaken again, including identifying a study area, constraints, identifying route corridor options and thereafter selecting a preferred route corridor. This may differ from the previous preferred route corridor developed in 2012.

In addition to this, Monaghan County Council is also working on a scheme to upgrade a further 32km of the N2 between Ardee and Castleblayney in Counties Louth and Monaghan. Along with the other improvements planned for the N2/A5 route, the proposed N2 Clontibret to the Border Scheme will significantly improve transport connectivity and provide more efficient access to other strategic national roads such as the N54 and the N12.

Monaghan County Council has appointed Jacobs Consulting Engineers to advance both projects through the planning and design process. Subject to funding, the design process will be developed in stages, with opportunities for the public to participate in the decision-making at each stage. Full information on the scheme, including latest news and details of public consultation periods and events, can be found on the project website www.N2MonaghanLouth.ie.

Previously Published Reports (2008-2012)

N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme

Monaghan County Council is working in partnership with Louth County Council and in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to develop a scheme to upgrade a 32km section of the N2/A5 Dublin-Derry Road. The proposed project is in Counties Monaghan and Louth, between Ardee and Castleblayney. This project is called the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme, and Monaghan County Council is the lead local authority.

Monaghan County Council is also working on a 28km project to advance the design and planning of the N2 in County Monaghan between Clontibret and the Border. These schemes will significantly improve transport connectivity along the N2 corridor and provide safer and more efficient access to other strategic national roads.