Minister Ross welcomes over €136m funding for multiple road safety schemes and road projects

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross welcomed today’s confirmation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland that, as a result of funding he secured in Budget 2018, it has approved road safety schemes to a value of over €136m.

Minister Ross was delighted that approval has been confirmed to progress a number of long-awaited road projects, including the Ardee Bypass which will begin construction in 2018.

Minister Ross said; “I committed to providing funding for road safety programmes and I am very happy to be able to confirm today that a significant number of safety schemes across country are going ahead next year. Although road traffic collisions occur for a variety of reasons, the condition of our roads is an important factor in preventing crashes and saving lives. I would like to stress that I am dedicated to improving road safety for all of our citizens in whatever way possible, whether through legislation, education or road maintenance and therefore I am delighted to see TII making this funding commitment to safety improvements across the country.”

Minister Ross added; “I am also happy that TII have confirmed they are moving ahead with other major projects included in the Capital Plan.” The Minister noted that funding has also been confirmed to allow the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue scheme to progress to statutory approval. This scheme is 35 km in length and involves the upgrade of the N5 National Primary route in Roscommon.

Additionally, TII has indicated to the Minister that the 15km N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin scheme with an overall investment value of €105 million would now commence construction in 2018.

Michael Nolan CEO TII said: “Today’s approval for funding by the Board allows TII to work with our local authority partners in delivering projects that will improve road user safety across our national road network. It is also another important step forward in the National Road Safety Strategy.”

The Building on Recovery Capital Plan includes provision for a rolling programme of improvements on the N56. Minister Ross noted that further progress will be made on this programme next year when upgrades on the sections from Kilkenny to Letterilly and Mountcharles to Drumbeigh will proceed.

As well as the schemes included in Building on Recovery, the Capital Plan Review has resulted in a significantly enhanced capital investment programme in the transport sector, including a number of additional road projects. One of these projects is the 4.5 km N52 Ardee Bypass and TII will now be allocating funding to allow construction to start in 2018.

List of the national road realignment schemes announced:

  1. N2 Monaghan to Emyvale Phase 3, County Monaghan
  2. N52 Ardee Bypass, County Louth
  3. N56 Coolboy to Kilmacrennan, County Donegal
  4. N56 Kilkenny to Letterilly, County Donegal
  5. N56 Mountcharles to Drumbeigh, County Donegal
  6. N59 Westport to Mulranny Section 2 Kilmeena, County Mayo
  7. N61 Coolteige, County Roscommon
  8. N67 Ballindereen to Kinvara, County Galway
  9. N70 Kilderry Bends, County Kerry
  10. N80 Maidenhead, Coounty Laois
  11. N81 Knockroe Bends, County Wicklow

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