€60m allocated for minor works schemes to enhance capacity and safety on our roads – Donohoe

Construction to commence in 2015 to the benefit of motorists, local communities and the wider economy

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Wednesday) said the provision of €60 million in funding for minor works to be carried out on our national roads over the next three years will improve driving conditions for motorists, accessibility for local communities and will help in further boosting economic activity.

The funding, which is being allocated by the National Roads Authority (NRA), who have identified the roads where works are to be carried out, will allow for construction to begin next year and continue over a three year period.

The roads include: (full details below)
Donegal:
N56 Boyoughter to Kilkenny
N15 Blackburn Bridge Realignment Scheme
Galway:
N84 Luimnagh Realignment Scheme
N59 Maam Cross to Oughterard
N83 Forty Acres Realignment Scheme
N17 Carrownurlar to Ballandine (Part of Gort/Tuam Residual Networks)
N63 Abbeyknockmoy to Annagh Hill (Part of Gort/Tuam Residual Network)
Kerry:
N86 Lispole to Mountoven (Section of Tralee to An Daingean)
Leitrim:
N16 Realignment at Cornacloy Phase 2
Louth:
N53 Barrownstown to Hackballs Cross
Mayo:
N59 Rossow Bends
Meath:
N51 Junction Ballyboy
Roscommon:
N61 Rathallen/Treanagry Realignment Scheme

Minister Donohoe said: ‘This funding for minor works to be carried out will see improvements being made which will considerably enhance road safety and accessibility for all users. By eliminating dangerous bends, widening and realigning roads and providing footpaths and cycleways where needed, the safety of motorists and other road users is being prioritised. The wider economy will also benefit as improvements are made to journey times. This means that road users will be able to go about their business in a more efficient manner’.

“Connectivity will be enhanced more generally through, in the case of Donegal, works being carried out on roads to the airport, and in the case of our larger gateways towns of Sligo and Galway.

“A number of the projects identified will see improvements being made to enhance visibility which means safer roads for drivers and for the local communities who depend on them. There is no doubt that as our economy continues to pick-up, our roads are seeing greater volumes of traffic. It is important, however, that we continue to invest where it is needed so that we can reduce congestion and increase economic output. Ensuring the safety of our citizens in doing so is critical. The allocation of this funding will make a considerable difference to that end over the coming years.”