End in sight for Latteragh bends road realignment project
The Thurles to Nenagh road sees heavy traffic every day
The major €30 million project to transform one of north Tipperary’s most notoriously difficult stretches of road has reached a significant milestone, with around 60% of construction works now complete.
The R498 Latteragh Realignment Scheme, which commenced construction in December 2025, is now approximately nine months into its overall 18-month construction programme.
The project is aimed at improving safety and connectivity along approximately 4.3km of the existing R498 Regional Road between Nenagh and Thurles, including a new single carriageway, associated junction improvements and a shared footway/cycle track.
A fresh update from Tipperary County Council has confirmed that works are progressing across multiple fronts, with excavation and fill operations, road formation works, soil nailing in major soil cutting areas, bridge and culvert construction and drainage installation all currently underway.
A major milestone was reached on August 14, when four bridge beams, each weighing 66 tonnes, were successfully installed across the Nenagh River.
The bridge is located approximately 1.7km from the start of the scheme at the Borrisoleigh end.
Construction is also progressing on the Nenagh River crossing at Bridge Location No 1, which is approximately 1.1km from the start of the scheme.
Road pavement base course and binder course surfacing works are now progressing across a number of work fronts, with the project team intending to transfer traffic onto the new pavement surfaces as soon as practicable.
For motorists who regularly travel the route, the ongoing works have meant a series of traffic management measures and delays along the scenic but challenging Latteragh Bends.
The Council is advising road users to allow additional travel time when passing safely through the works, particularly as construction activity enters a busy phase.
Road users are also being asked to adhere to all traffic management signage and signals to ensure the safety of both motorists and project personnel.
The Council said ongoing liaison is taking place with stakeholders and landowners throughout the duration of the works to ensure issues are addressed and progress is maintained.
The Latteragh scheme involves approximately 4.3km of improvements along the existing R498, together with around 1.8km of new offline realignment to bypass substandard sections of the route.
The works include a new single-carriageway alignment, improved horizontal and vertical geometry, upgraded junction layouts, significant earthworks and drainage improvements.
Once complete, the scheme is expected to provide long-term improvements to road safety, connectivity and journey times between Nenagh and Thurles.
“This is a significant infrastructure project for the area” said the council, “and Tipperary County Council is working to deliver it safely while minimising disruption for local communities”.
“We are seeing steady progress on site and look forward to delivering long-term improvements in road safety, connectivity and journey times when the project is completed and operational.”
The scheme is currently expected to remain within its overall 18-month construction programme, meaning completion is targeted for around mid-2027, subject to progress on site.