Minister Calleary confirms almost €12 million for Mayo in 2010 National Roads Programme

Mayo County Council has been allocated almost €12 million for improvement and maintenance works on its road network under the National Roads Programme 2010.

The allocation has been welcomed by local Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State, Dara Calleary.

Outlining some of the details of the allocation, Minister Calleary said that four National Primary Major Schemes will progress in the county in 2010 with a total investment of €4.5 million.

“The N5 Westport to Bohola scheme has been allocated almost €2.25 million; the N5 Charlestown Bypass has been allocated €1.5 million; the N17 Knock to Tubbercurry (bypasses Charlestown) has been allocated €524,000 and the N26 Ballina to Bohola (bypasses Foxford) has been allocated €200, 000,” explained Minister Calleary.

“A further €330,000 has been sanctioned for National Primary Safety Measures and €100,000 for National Primary Minor Works.”

“These will include improvement works to National Primary routes adversely affected by weather related damage and safety measures at N5 Knockbrack (€60,000); N5 Westport to Castlebar road (€75,000) and N17 Cloonturk (€30,000).”

“A total of €5 million has been allocated to the county’s National Secondary routes;

€4 million has been allocated for National Secondary pavement and minor works; €500,000 has been sanctioned for a major scheme from Westport to Mulranny (N59); €350,000 is being made available for rehabilitation and widening of Mayo bridges and €128,000 has been sanctioned for National Secondary safety works,” he said.

Among the routes chosen for rehabilitation and minor works are:

N26 Coolcronaun, €500,000; N59 Briska, €550,000; N59 Knockbreagha re-alignment, €692,000; N59 Moylaw, €500,000; N 60 Cloonfad, €400,000 and N84 Carrowmoney, €300,000; N59 Downhill/Bunree, traffic route lighting €100,000.

National Primary maintenance has been allocated €721,700 and National Secondary maintenance has been allocated €1.3million.

Minister Calleary also welcomed the allocation of €2,550,000 in Roscommon for the Ballaghaderreen Bypass. “This funding is for archaeology and advance works on the Bypass including an environmental assessment, ESB diversions and the preparation of contract documents during 2010. This is a significant step for the N5 and, when completed, will significantly improve connectivity between Mayo and Dublin."

“I regret that progress on the N26 is still delayed. The case is still with An Bord Pleanala but I am working with my colleague Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, to get it moved on as quickly as possible.”

“The overall allocation of almost €12 million for County Mayo is a significant investment in the Mayo’s road infrastructure and once again shows this Government’s commitment to progressing projects that will enhance quality of life for people, connect communities and help position Mayo as an attractive place for investment. Better roads facilitate greater competitiveness and that is why I will continue to push for improvements on our road network,” concluded Minister Dara Calleary TD.