Major Tipperary road project on the 'Latteragh bends' now one third complete
The R498 Latteragh Realignment Scheme is a major €30 million project
The R498 Latteragh Realignment Scheme, a major €30 million project aimed at transforming one of north Tipperary’s most notoriously difficult stretches of road, has been in full swing for the past number of months. Anyone travelling regularly between Thurles and Nenagh will by now be very familiar with the series of traffic lights and delays along the scenic, but somewhat treacherous, Latteragh Bends between Borrisoleigh and Nenagh.
The long-awaited project is designed to improve safety along a stretch of roadway that has historically been characterised by poor geometry, sharp bends and challenging terrain around the Latteragh hills and the meanders of the Nenagh River. While the stop-start nature of the works has added time onto many daily commutes in recent months, a fresh update from Tipperary County Council will put some at ease with confirmation that the scheme is progressing well and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Representatives from Tipperary County Council’s roads department recently shared the following update with the Tipperary Star:
“The project involves the improvement of approximately 4.3km of the existing R498 Regional Road between Nenagh and Thurles at Latteragh, including a new single carriageway with associated junction improvements and a shared footway/cycle track.
“The scheme commenced construction in December 2025 and is being delivered at an estimated cost of circa €30 million, funded by the Department of Transport and Tipperary County Council.
“The project is now approximately six months into an overall 18-month construction programme and works are progressing well across multiple sections of the scheme. Current activities include excavation and fill operations, soil nailing in major soil cutting areas, bridge and culvert construction, drainage installation and road formation works.
“Traffic management measures are in place throughout the scheme and disruption is being actively managed and minimised as far as practicable. Access to properties continues to be maintained.
“Ongoing liaison is taking place with stakeholders and landowners for the duration of the works to ensure that issues are addressed and progress is maintained.”
The R498 Latteragh Road Realignment Scheme involves the construction of approximately 4.3km of improved alignment along the existing R498 between Nenagh and Thurles, together with around 1.8km of new offline realignment to bypass substandard sections of the route.
The works include new single-carriageway construction, upgraded horizontal and vertical alignment, improved junction layouts, significant earthworks, and drainage enhancements designed to deliver a safer and more modern regional road corridor.
A dedicated scheme website, www.r498latteragh.com, provides regular updates, including aerial footage of the works, details of upcoming traffic management arrangements, and contact information for the project team. A project signboard is also set to be erected on site shortly to further support public awareness.