Cullen announces €1.53 billion allocation for 2007 National Roads Programme

Date: 16 January 2007

€1.53 billion of funding for the National Roads Programme under Transport 21, the largest single annual investment in roads
215 kms of new roads to commence work in 2007 and a further 343 kms to continue in construction
Work on the major inter urban network (MIU) i.e. routes linking Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and the Border to continue
Phases 2 and 3 of the M50 upgrade works to begin

Transport Minister Martin Cullen, T.D., today (Tuesday 16 January 2007) announced details of the Government’s €1.53 billion investment of funds in the 2007 National Roads Programme. This investment in the country’s roads, represents the largest single annual investment in road infrastructure in the history of the State. It is being made under the Government’s transport programme, Transport 21. This record level of provision, means an average ongoing investment of over €125 million per month in Ireland’s national roads. Six hundred and seventy three projects are being funded under this year’s allocation. The funds will allow the completion of work this year by the National Roads Authority (NRA) on nine schemes with a combined length of over 100 kms. These include the 15 km N2 Castleblaney Bypass; the 9 km NI Border to Dundalk Road; the 23 km N11 Arklow Gorey Bypass and the N77 4 km Kilkenny Ring Road extension. The funding will also allow the commencement of work by the NRA on seven schemes, with a combined length of 215 kms. These include the N3/M3 60 km Clonee to North of Kells project; the M7/M8 40 km Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown Motorway, the N9/M9 24 km Waterford to Knocktopher Motorway and the N6 56 km Galway to Ballinasloe Dual Carriageway. Priority has been given to accelerating works to improve the M50. Phase 1 of the upgrade is already underway. Phases 2 and 3 will begin this year.

Thirteen projects will move forward in to the compulsory purchase order stage and these include the N4 New Ross Bypass; the N11 Enniscorthy Bypass; the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon Bypass; the N7 Newlands Cross Interchange and the N26 Ballina to Bohola scheme (Phase 2).

In addition, over €21 million has been allocated towards road safety measures, which include the line and signs programme, road junction improvement and traffic calming schemes.

Speaking about the €1.53 billion investment for the national roads, Minister Cullen said: “This Government is committed to progressing projects that will enhance quality of life for people, connect communities and underpin our prosperity. The funding allocated for 2007 will allow for more new and better roads that will help road-users go about their daily lives in a more efficient way. Better roads also facilitate greater competitiveness. Business can do business in a more effective way”.

The Minister added: “The projects announced today are built to various scales and are located throughout all regions. What is common to all of these projects, however, is that they make for safer roads. As Transport Minister, road safety is of paramount importance to me and my colleague Pat the Cope and better quality roads make for easier, safer, road journeys in less built-up traffic. High quality dual carriageways/motorways have been proven to be seven times safer than the roads they replace. By opening over 100km of new roads in 2007, we are adding significantly to the safety of our national road network.”

Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher said: “2006, the first year of Transport 21, was in every way a record year for Ireland's National Roads Programme. Fourteen major road projects were completed and opened to traffic and a dozen more started construction - more than three times the number of starts than in the previous year. A number of projects opened ahead of schedule too in 2006 including bypasses of Ashbourne (opened 4 months ahead of time), Fermoy (8 months) and Bundoran/Ballyshannon (3 months), the N25 Kinsale Road Interchange (opened 6 months ahead of target) and the N21 Castleisland/Abbeyfeale (3 months). Great credit is due to the National Roads Authority for all their hard work last year. The funding announced today will ensure that the pace of the programme is maintained in 2007”.
Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: "The 2007 allocations show a continued commitment by the current Government, to invest throughout the country, in the much needed modern roads programme. This overall funding package of over €1.5 billion affords the NRA the opportunity to work with the local counties on the planning and construction of new and improved roads. I have seen first hand the immediate positive impact the local allocations programme is having on villages, towns and cities throughout the country. Not only does it provide monies to build safer roads, but it assists greatly in offering opportunities for the local business environment and the continued growth of the local tourism industry”.

Issued by:
Department of Transport Press Office
Michelle Hoctor (087 8563070) /Veronica Scanlan (087 6430622)

NRA Press Office
Sean O’Neill (086 8230600)

Click here for National Roads Programme 2007 appendices as an Adobe PDF file.