The project aims to improve two sections of the N81 in parallel; the N81 Whitestown Lower Project and the N81 Hangman’s Bend and Tuckmill Project which aim to address road deficiencies contributing to the poor safety record on the network. The N81 Whitestown Lower Project study area is approximately 2km long extending from the Castleruddery Junction to the south to the Ballylion Junction to the north. The N81 Hangman’s Bend Scheme and Tuckmill Project study area is approximately 4km long extending from Raheen Junction to the south to Hangman’s Bend to the north.

Objective 1: Safety - Reduce Collision Rates Reduce the current annual collision rate along these sections of the N81 so that the 5-year average collision rate is reduced to below the national average Objective 2: Safety - Reduce Severity of Impacts Reduce the severity of collision along these sections of the N81 so that the 5-year average rate of fatal, serious and minor injury accidents is reduced to below the national average rate. Objective 3: Local Environmental - River Slaney SAC Avoid significant adverse impacts on the internationally important River Slaney Special Area for Conservation, which should be determined through the completion of appropriate environmental assessments during the design and planning process. Objective 4: Local Environmental - Cultural and Heritage Sites Avoid significant adverse impacts on archaeological remains, historic standing structures and/ or more broadly disrupting the aesthetics of historical landscapes, which should be determined through the completion of appropriate environmental assessments during the design and planning process.

The project is being developed in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) Project Management Guidelines (PMG). The PMG divides a project's evolution and progression into eight phases (Phase 0 to Phase 7 inclusive), as illustrated below. TII has committed to funding the N81 projects up to and including PMG Phase 4 Statutory Process.

The project is referenced in a number of policy documents including but not limited to Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework and National Development Plan (2021 – 2030) however the advancement of the project is subject to ongoing funding and statutory approvals.

The options have been developed and appraised in accordance with TII’s Project Appraisal Guidelines (PAG). Given the site constraints and opportunities, the emerging preferred options have been found to be the most feasible for achieving the project objectives following the first two stages of a three-stage process. Stage 1 considered the identified constraints and the relevant design standards to develop a range of feasible routes within the Study Area. These initial feasible routes, called do-something options in PAG, were assessed against Engineering, Environment, and Economy criteria. At least 3 of the most promising do-something options and the do-minimum/ do-nothing option (counterfactual to intervention) were carried forward to stage 2. Stage 2 commenced with the first non-statutory public consultation, held in April 2024. The purpose of the first public consultation was to present the stage 2 options and request local information pertinent to the constraints study and public feedback for consideration in the appraisal process. The stage 2 options underwent a detailed Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) under the following appraisal criteria to identify the emerging preferred options. The final stage three of the options process will involve a financial and economic appraisal of the emerging preferred options to confirm the feasibility of the schemes.

At this stage of the process, we have emerging preferred options– however, it is too early to determine the full extent of impact on properties until the design is developed. The design team will endeavour to reduce land impacts where possible. The preferred options, once confirmed, will proceed to PMG Phase 3 Preliminary Design and Environmental Evaluation. The design of the preferred option will be developed into a preliminary design confirming land take requirements. All stakeholders, including directly affected landowners, will be consulted during this process.

To close out PMG Phase 2, the preferred options will be published and displayed on the project website. PMG Phase 3: The preferred options will be developed into a preliminary design for planning and subjected to a comprehensive environmental evaluation. PMG Phase 4: The scheme will be submitted for planning consent. The final decision on planning consent will rest with An Bord Pleanála or Wicklow County Council depending on the planning route that is required. If an EIAR or NIS is required, then this will be via An Bord Pleanála, who will convene an Oral Hearing at which all objectors will be given the opportunity to voice their objection to the Board.

Approx 3-4 years before we are ready to tender for construction. Dependent on the requirement to submit an EIAR to ABP, which is likely given the nearby environment constraints. If land cannot be acquired by agreement, then acquisition will be by CPO which, is likely to incur delays. The intention is to have the preliminary design ready to submit for planning in Q2 2026.