This project was opened on 25 May 2006, and includes 3.5 km (2.2 miles) of three lane dual carriageway built to motorway standard.

The N2 continues north through Emyvale to reach the border at Moy Bridge directly south of Aughnacloy, County Tyrone.

[1] A 3 km (1.9 miles) single carriageway bypass of Monaghan town to the east was opened on 25 September 2006 by Pat Gallagher, Junior Minister For Transport.

An upgrade of the section from Ardee to Castleblaney to dual carriageway has reached final design, but is suspended due to lack of funding.

In October 2006, the Irish government announced it was funding infrastructure to the value of €1 billion within Northern Ireland where such projects improved connectivity between parts of the Repbublic.

[3] The Irish Department of Finance website confirmed on 22 March 2007 that £400 million had been set aside for Northern investment to include a dual carriageway to Derry and Donegal, although the A5 project itself was beset by delays and as of 2024 has still not commenced.

On 30 September 2008, it was announced that a 13 km (8.1 miles) section of the current N2 from Killshane to Ashbourne was under consideration for re-designation to motorway standard.