N5 Westport-Turlough Road Closure: Status, Diversions & Reopening Guide
Night-time closures are scheduled for a section of the N5 dual carriageway between Westport and Turlough in County Mayo. The works involve roadside grass cutting along the verges to improve safety and driver visibility. Drivers should familiarise themselves with the diversion routes and planned timing before travelling.
Mayo County Council has issued formal notice of the maintenance programme, which is being carried out under the Roads Act 1993. The closures are planned to run overnight for up to five nights within an April 20 to May 1, 2026 window. All traffic, including eastbound and westbound vehicles, will be diverted via the R309 (Old N5), with emergency access maintained throughout. The exact start date will be confirmed in advance of works commencing.
The N5 Westport-Turlough route itself is a relatively new road, having fully opened on June 15, 2023, following a major upgrade. The current works represent routine maintenance separate from that construction project. Officials have advised drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during the closure periods.
Is the N5 Currently Closed Between Westport and Turlough?
As of the most recent available data, the N5 is not currently subject to active night-time closures. The formal notice was issued on March 9, 2026, with the objection period closing on April 10, 2026. The closure window is set to begin no earlier than April 20, 2026. Motorists are encouraged to check the Mayo County Council weekly roadworks page for the latest status as the date approaches.
Once active, the closures will affect the N5 between the N5/R309 roundabout in Turlough and the N5 dual/single carriageway junction near Westport. This covers both directions of travel as well as connecting routes including the N60, R308, N84, and R307. All traffic will be required to follow the signed diversion.
Up to five nights between April 20 and May 1, 2026. Works run from 7pm to 6am each night. Roads may reopen earlier than 6am if works complete ahead of schedule.
Scheduled (not yet active)
April 20 – May 1, 2026
Roadside grass cutting
R309 (Old N5)
Key facts at a glance
- The closures apply to all traffic in both directions on the N5 between Turlough and Westport.
- Connecting routes including the N60, R308, N84, and R307 are also affected by the diversion.
- Emergency vehicles will retain access throughout the closure periods.
- The traffic management plan has been approved with An Garda Síochána.
- Roads will reopen at 6am each morning, or earlier if works finish ahead of schedule.
- Drivers should allow additional travel time and monitor official channels for updates.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | N5 between N5/R309 roundabout, Turlough and N5 dual/single junction near Westport |
| Status | Scheduled; not yet active |
| Duration | Up to 5 nights within April 20 – May 1, 2026 window |
| Hours | 7pm to 6am each night |
| Authority | Mayo County Council (Roads Act 1993) |
| Diversion route | R309 (Old N5), signposted |
| Emergency access | Maintained at all times |
Why Is the N5 Closed and How Long Will It Last?
The scheduled works involve grass cutting along the roadside verges of the N5 between Westport and Turlough. This routine maintenance activity is designed to improve safety and visibility for road users by clearing overgrown vegetation from the roadside. The programme is being carried out under the Roads Act 1993, which provides the legal framework for road maintenance activities by local authorities in Ireland.
Duration of the closure programme
The closure window spans from April 20 to May 1, 2026. Within this period, works will take place for up to five nights. The exact number of nights required depends on progress, and roads may reopen before 6am on any given morning if the work finishes ahead of schedule. Mayo County Council has stated that the precise start date will be confirmed in advance of works beginning.
What the maintenance involves
Grass cutting along the verges is a standard part of road maintenance, particularly on high-speed routes like the N5 dual carriageway. Overgrown vegetation can obscure signage, reduce sight lines at junctions, and create hazards for vehicles leaving the carriageway. The N5 Westport-Turlough route, which opened in June 2023 following a significant upgrade, requires ongoing upkeep to maintain the safety standards established during its construction.
Mayo County Council advises drivers to plan ahead during the closure periods. While specific delay estimates have not been provided, diverting via the R309 will add time to journeys between Westport and Turlough. Planning alternative travel times where possible is recommended.
What Are the Official Diversion Routes for the N5 Closure?
All traffic affected by the N5 closures will be diverted via the R309, commonly known as the Old N5. This diversion applies to both eastbound and westbound traffic and covers not only main N5 users but also drivers travelling on connecting routes including the N60, R308, N84, and R307. Diversion signage will be clearly in place throughout the affected area.
Routes covered by the diversion
- Westbound N5 traffic – diverted to R309
- Eastbound N5 traffic – diverted to R309
- N60/R308 (Breaffy Road) traffic – diverted to R309
- N84/R307 (Ballinrobe Road) traffic – diverted to R309
The R309 runs parallel to the N5 for much of the route between Turlough and Westport and serves as the original alignment of the national road before the dual carriageway upgrade was completed. While the R309 provides a direct alternative, drivers unfamiliar with the route should exercise caution and allow additional time for their journey. Signposted diversions will be in position for the duration of the works.
Finding live updates and maps
For real-time information on road conditions and any disruptions, drivers can consult AA Roadwatch, which provides live maps and updates on delays and road status across Ireland. The Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) website also offers national road authority updates. Mayo County Council’s traffic management page lists weekly roadworks and can be monitored for the latest information as the April 20 date approaches.
Those looking for parking options in nearby destinations may find relevant information in our guides to Parking Near 3 Arena and Best Pubs in Galway for planning leisure travel around any disruption.
When Will the N5 Reopen Between Westport and Turlough?
The N5 is expected to reopen at 6am each morning following a night of works. If grass cutting is completed ahead of schedule on any given night, the road may reopen earlier than 6am. The full closure programme is scheduled to conclude by May 1, 2026, marking the end of the defined works window.
At this stage, there is no confirmed single date for the final reopening of the N5 within the programme window. The actual duration of the closure will depend on how quickly the maintenance progresses across the five available nights. Mayo County Council has indicated that the exact start date and any adjustments to the schedule will be communicated in advance.
Where to find reopening updates
- Monitor the Mayo County Council roadworks page for weekly updates
- Check AA Roadwatch for real-time road status
- Visit TII traffic news for national road updates
- Follow Mayo County Council social media channels for advance notice of works commencement
Background: The N5 Westport-Turlough Upgrade
The N5 Westport-Turlough road represents a significant piece of infrastructure in County Mayo. The route covers a total length of 25.5 kilometres, comprising 20.3 kilometres of dual carriageway and 5.2 kilometres of single carriageway. The upgraded road fully opened to traffic on June 15, 2023, replacing older sections of the national route and substantially improving connectivity between Westport and Turlough.
The upgrade incorporated modern road design features including grade-separated junctions and roundabouts to manage traffic flow and enhance safety. The project was delivered as part of Ireland’s national roads development programme, with the completed route now forming a key link in the national road network serving County Mayo. The current maintenance works are entirely separate from the construction project and reflect the routine upkeep required to maintain the road to acceptable standards.
Established Facts and Outstanding Uncertainties
- Closure window: April 20 to May 1, 2026
- Works hours: 7pm to 6am each night
- Maximum of five night closures
- All traffic diverts via R309 (Old N5)
- Emergency access maintained throughout
- Maintenance purpose: roadside grass cutting
- Authority: Mayo County Council under Roads Act 1993
- Traffic plan approved with An Garda Síochána
- The exact start date within the April 20–May 1 window
- The precise number of nights required (up to five)
- Whether specific nights will be confirmed individually or in a block
- Whether weather conditions may affect the schedule
- Any specific delay estimates for diversion routes
Official Sources and Further Information
Information in this article has been drawn from official notices issued by Mayo County Council and corroborated by local news reporting. The formal notice for the N5 closure was issued on March 9, 2026, with the objection period closing on April 10, 2026. Mayo County Council is the issuing authority under the Roads Act 1993 and is the primary source for updates on the closure schedule and diversion arrangements.
The traffic management plan has been approved with An Garda Síochána. Emergency access will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.
— Mayo County Council public notice, March 2026
Drivers are encouraged to monitor official channels in the lead-up to April 20, 2026, as Mayo County Council has committed to confirming the exact start date in advance of works commencing. Information on national road conditions is also available through gov.ie roadworks notices.
Summary and Travel Advice
Planned night-time closures on the N5 between Westport and Turlough are scheduled to begin no earlier than April 20, 2026, running for up to five nights within a defined window extending to May 1. The works involve routine roadside grass cutting under the Roads Act 1993. All traffic will be diverted via the R309 (Old N5), with emergency access preserved. Drivers should check the Mayo County Council roadworks page and AA Roadwatch before travelling during the affected period and allow additional time for journeys on diversion routes. For those planning travel beyond County Mayo, our guide to Best Pubs in Galway offers ideas for leisure activities in the wider region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a map of the N5 closure Westport?
While Mayo County Council provides official notice of the closure and diversion routes, specific interactive maps are not included in the published notices. Drivers can consult AA Roadwatch for real-time maps showing current road status and disruptions.
Contact for N5 closure updates Westport
Mayo County Council is the issuing authority for the N5 closure. The council’s traffic management page at mayo.ie/traffic-management/road-works provides weekly roadworks updates. The public notice was issued in March 2026.
What alternative routes are available during the N5 closure?
All traffic is diverted via the R309 (Old N5), which runs parallel to the N5 between Turlough and Westport. The diversion applies to eastbound and westbound N5 traffic as well as vehicles on the N60, R308, N84, and R307.
Will emergency vehicles be able to access the N5 during closures?
Yes, emergency access will be maintained throughout the duration of the night-time closures. The traffic management plan has been approved with An Garda Síochána.
Can the N5 reopen earlier than 6am if works finish?
Yes, the roads will reopen as soon as works are completed on any given night. If grass cutting finishes ahead of schedule, the N5 may reopen before the 6am deadline.
Is the N5 closure related to the original road upgrade?
No, the current works are routine maintenance involving roadside grass cutting and are entirely separate from the N5 Westport-Turlough upgrade project, which was completed and opened on June 15, 2023.
How will I know when the N5 closures actually start?
Mayo County Council has stated that the exact start date will be confirmed in advance of works commencing. Motorists should monitor the council’s traffic management page and AA Roadwatch as the April 20 date approaches.