Over €34 million allocated for restoration and improvement of Limerick roads
OVER €34 million has been announced for the restoration and improvement of regional and local roads in Limerick.
The regional and local roads program addresses economic, social, and political issues.
In Ireland, there are 94,000 kilometres of regional and local roads, which make up 94% of the country's road network. These roads carry approximately 55% of all traffic, and for many local businesses, they are the only means of accessing customers.
The investment program includes funding for road pavement strengthening, preventative surface dressing, local authority discretion in selecting roads for maintenance, specific regional and local road projects, bridge rehabilitation, road safety improvements, drainage works, climate change adaptation, and various grants.
Minister of State and Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins welcomed the funding.
"This significant funding increase will enable us to repair, strengthen, and maintain our roads across the region, ensuring that they are suitable for their intended purposes.
“We are committing resources towards initiatives such as road repairs, bridge rehabilitation, road safety measures, community engagement, drainage improvements, and climate change adaptation.
“Improving and maintaining our road network is essential to the sustained development of local economies in rural Ireland. These roads are critical for children getting to school and people travelling to work safely. Rural regeneration is a top priority for the government, and this investment programme for 2023 is further proof of that commitment,” Minister Collins said.
Minister of State and Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell also welcomed the news.
“This roads funding allocation includes a very welcome €9 million for Coonagh/Knockalisheen Distributor Road Project currently underway.
“Furthermore, €1 million has been allocated for the Cappamore Road Junction Improvement on the Dublin road which will involve two new slip lanes being constructed to alleviate traffic coming from either side of this very busy junction.
“Council engineers have advised me that they expect to have contractors appointed and on-site by Easter, April 2023, with the works taking approximately 6 months to complete,” Minister O’Donnell added.
€12 million of the €34 million funding has been allocated towards restoration improvements on Limerick roads.