Martha's Bridge to Circular Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme

The Council wishes to advise of the commencement of construction works associated with the project, which will include the construction of new cycling infrastructure along the R147 (Dublin Road), linking the existing cycle facilities from Johnstown to Circular Road in Navan.

The project will include the delivery of over 1km of segregated cycling facilities, the upgrade of the traffic junction at Martha’s Bridge (linking to Johnstown) and the signalisation of the Academy Street junction, with significant road safety improvements being made for pedestrians along the route. The scheme also includes, amongst other works, landscaping features and public lighting upgrade works throughout.

This cycling ‘spine’ route on the Dublin to Kells Road is the first section of segregated cycling facilities to be built on the R147, which will ultimately extend to Blackwater Retail Park, with future links to the planned River Boyne Greenway and a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to Blackwater Park (anticipated to commence construction next year), with onward links to the recently opened Boyne Valley Lakelands Greenway.

The project aims to provide new cycle and upgraded pedestrian facilities and to improve access to the town centre for both cyclists and pedestrians; to achieve targets of the Government’s Climate Action Plan by encouraging more people to cycle and walk in Navan and reduce dependence on the use of private vehicles for transport. Cycling and walking, as part of an active lifestyle, are very important for good health. These activities, together or on their own, promote healthy growth and development in children and young people and are important for healthy ageing, which contributes to a higher quality of life and independence as we grow older.

The Contractor is to commence the week of the 8th of September to initially establish a site compound, and to install temporary traffic management. It is anticipated that roadworks will commence the following week.

During the delivery of the project works, temporary traffic management measures will be required and, where implemented, these will be signposted and communicated via local media and social media. Access for residents and businesses is to be maintained throughout.

Meath County Council apologises in advance for any inconvenience, and thanks you for your patience and forbearance while these works are being implemented.

Meath County Council is currently constructing the Martha’s Bridge to Circular Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme on the R147 Dublin Road. The scheme is being funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is part of the Navan Cycle Network.

Progress to Date
Construction is progressing well, with the following works completed so far:

• Construction compounds and site offices established at Swan Lane and Academy Street.
• Pre-construction property condition surveys along the route are substantially complete.
• Surveys, slit trenches, and trial holes have commenced and will be on-going.
• Temporary traffic management to facilitate the works is in place on the Dublin Road (R147) between Circular Road and Academy Street junctions, maintaining two-way traffic flow.
• Vibration monitoring has been installed.
• Over 400 metres of kerbing and ducting are now completed.
• Footpath works have commenced on the northbound carriageway.

Next Steps (October–December 2025)
Over the coming two months:

• Up to three work crews will be active on site.
• Footpath works on the southern side of the Dublin Road will be completed. Once finished, traffic management will be adjusted to close the southbound side for the next phase, while maintaining two-way traffic flow on the R147.
• Drainage works will take place near the Academy Street junction. In an effort to mitigate traffic disruption during the day, some night-time works are expected in late November.
• Further kerbing, ducting, and surfacing works will continue along the route.

Traffic and Programme Information
No major changes to current traffic arrangements are expected in the next phase. Please note that the works programme may be adjusted due to weather, supply issues, or other unforeseen events. Any significant planned changes will be communicated in advance.

Meath County Council thanks the public for their patience and cooperation as these important works progress.

Meath County Council is currently constructing the Martha’s Bridge to Circular Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme on the R147 Dublin Road. The scheme is being funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is part of the Navan Cycle Network.

Progress to Date

Construction is progressing well, with the following works completed to date:

• A new concrete footpath and kerbing has been constructed from the Circular Road Junction to the Academy Street Junction on the eastern side of the R147;
• Installation of ducting, public lighting columns and cabling; and
• Excavation of the existing footpath between the Academy Street Junction and the Martha’s Bridge Junction on the eastern side of the R147 is ongoing.

All works on-site are to cease on site for a two-week period from Friday, 19 December 2025, and will resume on Monday, 5 January 2026, for the Christmas break.
 

Next Steps (January - March 2026)
Works planned for early 2026 include:

• Continuing footpath works on the eastern side of the R147;
• Ongoing drainage, kerbing and footpath construction; and
• Commencing footpath works on the western side of the R147, from a point near the Heat Merchants premises to the Academy Street Junction.

Traffic and Programme Information

No major changes to current traffic arrangements are anticipated to occur during the next phase of works. However, the following measures remain in place:

• The footpath on the eastern side (River Boyne side) of the R147, between the Circular Road Junction and the Academy Street Junction, remains closed. The alternative pedestrian route during this closure is via the existing footpath on Academy Street; and
• Pedestrian access to the bus stop adjacent to Martha’s Bridge (Bus Stop ID 136631) will be maintained at all times (via the crossing at Limekiln/Bothár Sion/R147 junction). 

Please note that the above outline programme of upcoming works may be subject to change due to weather conditions, supply issues, or other unforeseen events. Any significant planned changes will be communicated in advance. 

Stay Informed

For further information and updates as the project progresses, please see www.meath.ie.

Should you wish to be included on the Council’s email list for regular updates on this project, please email activetravel@meathcoco.ie with “MB2CR Project” in the email and request to be added to our mailing list. Please note, you can opt out of email updates at any time.

If you have any queries regarding the above update or wish to discuss the planned works, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Team by email activetravel@meathcoco.ie or by phoning the Active Travel Section on 046 9097150 or 1850 278 278 (Normal Working Hours). For out-of-hours emergency contact, please phone 1890 445 335.

Meath County Council is currently constructing the Martha’s Bridge to Circular Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme on the R147 Dublin Road. The scheme is being funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is part of the Navan Cycle Network.

Progress to Date

Construction is progressing well, with the following works completed to date:

• Works are continuing on the southbound side of the R147. Significant progress has been made since the last
  update adjacent to the Academy Street apartments.
• Site clearance works have commenced on Swan Lane and along the R147 adjacent to the Swan River.
• During January, cold and wet weather impacted progress, particularly in relation to footpath works on the southbound side of the R147.
   

Next Steps (February - March 2026)

• Culvert works at Swan Bridge will continue to facilitate additional space for the proposed footpath and cycle track. Pedestrian diversions are currently in place.
• Works will continue on Swan Lane and on the northbound side of the R147 between the Maxol Filling station and the Academy Street Junction.
• Works will include kerbing, ducting, footpath construction, and boundary wall works on Swan Lane.
   

Traffic and Programme Information

No major changes to current traffic arrangements are anticipated to occur during the next phase of works. However, the following measures remain in place:

• The footpath on the eastern side (River Boyne side) of the R147, between the Circular Road Junction and the Academy Street Junction, remains closed. The alternative pedestrian route during this closure is via the existing footpath on Academy Street; and
• Pedestrian access to the bus stop adjacent to Martha’s Bridge (Bus Stop ID 136631) will be maintained at all times (via the crossing at Limekiln/Bothár Sion/R147 junction).
• Pedestrian diversions are in place along Swan Lane and the R147 adjacent to the Swan River to accommodate the culvert extension works. 

Please note that the above outline programme of upcoming works may be subject to change due to weather conditions, supply issues, or other unforeseen events. Any significant planned changes will be communicated in advance.
 

Stay Informed

For further information and updates as the project progresses, please see www.meath.ie.

Should you wish to be included on the Council’s email list for regular updates on this project, please email activetravel@meathcoco.ie with “MB2CR Project” in the email and request to be added to our mailing list. Please note, you can opt out of email updates at any time.

If you have any queries regarding the above update or wish to discuss the planned works, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Team by email activetravel@meathcoco.ie or by phoning the Active Travel Section on 046 9097150 or 1850 278 278 (Normal Working Hours). For out-of-hours emergency contact, please phone 1890 445 335.

Meath County Council is currently constructing the Martha’s Bridge to Circular Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme 
on the R147 Dublin Road. The scheme is being funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is part of the 
Navan Cycle Network.
 

Progress to Date

Construction is progressing well, with the following works completed to date:
 

• Works at Academy Street are ongoing, with construction completed across the entrance to the Maxol Filling 
  Station.
• Good progress has been made on the installation of a reinforced concrete culvert over the Swan River
• A significant project milestone has been achieved, with concrete footpaths now substantially complete from 
  Circular Road to Academy Street.
• The new riverside footpath has been opened to pedestrians from Circular Road to Martha’s Bridge.
   

Next Steps (April - May 2026)

• Footpath construction will continue on Academy Street and Swan Lane
• Temporary traffic management will remain in operation at the Academy Street junction and on Swan Lane to 
  facilitate the works.
• Traffic flow on the R147 has been switched to the southbound side, from the Maxol Filling Station to Martha’s 
  Bridge.
• Works on the reinforced concrete culvert over Swan River will continue to include backfilling and preparation 
  for a concrete footpaths and segregated two-way cycle track.
• Construction of boundary walls on either side of the culvert will continue.
• Construction of the retaining wall on the R147, between Martha’s Bridge and Swan Lane, will continue.
• No nighttime works are planned during this period.

Traffic and Programme Information
No major changes to the current traffic arrangements are anticipated during the next phase of works. However, 
the following measures remain in place:

• The footpath on the eastern side (River Boyne side) of the R147, between the Circular Road junction and the 
  Martha’s Bridge junction, has reopened.
• Pedestrian access to the bus stop adjacent to Martha’s Bridge (Bus Stop ID 136631) will be maintained at all 
  times via the crossing at the Limekiln / Bothar Sion / R147 junction.
• Pedestrian diversions remain in place along Swan Lane and the R147 adjacent to the Swan River to facilitate 
  the culvert extension works.

Please note that the above programme of works is indicative and may be subject to change due to weather 
conditions, supply constraints, or other unforeseen circumstances. Any significant updates will be communicated in 
advance.

Stay Informed
Should you wish to be included on the Council’s email list for regular updates on this project, please email 
activetravel@meathcoco.ie with “MB2CR Project” in the email and request to be added to our mailing list. Please 
note, you can opt out of email updates at any time.

If you have any queries regarding the above update or wish to discuss the planned works, please do not hesitate to 
contact the Project Team by email activetravel@meathcoco.ie or by phoning the Active Travel Section on 046 
9097150 or 1850 278 278 (Normal Working Hours). For out-of-hours emergency contact, please phone 1890 
445 335.