Minister Dempsey announces €1.115 billion allocation for 2010 National Roads Programme

Posted on 01/02/10 by Noel Dempsey

Transport Minister Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D. today (01/02/10) announced details of the Government's €1.115 billion investment in National Roads Programme 2010. This investment demonstrates Government's continued commitment to upgrade the States national road infrastructure. It is being made under the Transport 21 Programme and the National Development Plan (NDP). The overall allocation represents an average investment of €93 million per month in Ireland's national roads.

A total of €1.115 billion of funding for the National Roads Programme under Transport 21/NDP will be allocated in 2010.

All remaining connecting sections of the MIUs are now under construction. The NRA is on track to complete the MIUs by end of this year.

As of January 1, 2010 approximately 319 km of new roads are under construction.

292km of new roads will be completed in 2010. The projects are:

- M3 Clonee to North of Kells

- N3 Kells to Carnaross (part of M3)

- N7 Castletown to Nenagh

- N7 Nenagh to Limerick

- N7 Limerick Tunnel

- M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown

- N9 Waterford to Knocktopher

- N9 Carlow to Knocktopher

- N10 Kilkenny Link Road (part of N9 Carlow to Knocktopher)

- M50 Upgrade Scheme Phase 2

- N52 Kells Bypass (part of M3)

- N78 Arthy Link Road (part of N9 Kilcullen to Carlow)

€15 million has been allocated towards road safety measures.

Seven projects are moving forward into the Compulsory Purchase Order stage in 2010 and the projects are:

N4 The Downs Grade Seperation

N14/N15 Link to Strabane

M20 Cork to Limerick

N21 Adare Bypass

N25 Carrigtwohill to Middleton

N30 Clonroche to New Ross

N52 Carrickbridge to Dalystown.

Speaking about the €1.115 billion investment for national roads, Minister Dempsey, said: ''The significant expansion and development of the roads networks has benefited everyone in the state. It has been a major factor in underpinning the sustained programme of national economic recovery. It is a proud boast that roads building projects are efficient, on budget, on time and often ahead of their completion dates. The motorways have also helped reduce the catastrophic carnage on the roads, an aim which the Government must pursue relentlessly. Today's investment builds on the massive roads investment by this Government over a decade and more.''

Projects that opened ahead of schedule include:

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe; 4 months ahead

N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown; 8 months ahead

N9 Kilcullen to Carlow; 11 months ahead

N25 Waterford City Bypass; 10 months ahead

N52 Tullamore Bypass; 10 months ahead.