Up to €31 million to be spent on Laois roads this year after 'challenging winter'

Up to €31 million will be spent on upgrading and maintaining the road network in County Laois this year.

Laois County Council has published their Roadworks Scheme for 2026 which details how much money will be allocated to different projects across the county this year.

The funding will go towards road restoration and maintenance, bridge rehabilitation, safety improvement works, road drainage and works associated with climate change resilience and adaption measures.

The principal source of funding for Laois County Council is the Department of Transport who have assigned €718.67 million nationally for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in 2026.

The total allocation to Laois County Council is €15,447,750 million, which is an increase of €993,300 from 2025.

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The National Transport Authority have also allocated €3.5 million for Laois. Up to €500,000 of this funding will be spent on a Bus Stop Enhancement Programme and the remaining €3 million will go towards projects specifically approved by the NTA.

Over €3,245,341 has been granted for Laois by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The Department of Community and Rural Affairs have allocated €469,530. Finally, Laois County Council has allocated €7,700,000 from their Revenue Budget for 2026.

Laois County Council has said that the winter of 2026 has caused significant damage to the road network, particularly following Storm Chandra and the ensuing long periods of heavy rain. 

"The Roadworks Scheme 2026 is presented against the backdrop of a challenging winter for the road network, with an upturn in potholes and general storm damage. Significant resources from the Roadworks Scheme 2026 will be targeted towards remedying the adverse impacts of winter," according to the Council.

The bulk of the money will go towards the restoration, improvement and maintenance of the county's road network, with over 65% of the funds allocated for this. 

Up to €8,152,500 has been granted towards Restoration Improvement. Of this, the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD will receive €3,107,314, the Portlaoise MD will get €2,233,785, and the Graiguecullen / Portarlington MD €2,329,372.

The Council has allocated €962,500 for Restoration Maintenance plus supplementary funding of €890,000. Again, the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD will get the largest sum from the funding with €738,040. The Graiguecullen / Portarlington MD follows closely behind with €685,214. The Portlaoise MD will get €390,877.

Other works included in the scheme include Bridge Rehabilitation Works which has been allocated €563,500. Some of the bridges in Laois which have been granted funding include the Pallas Little Bridge on the Ballyfin Road in Portlaoise which has been allocated €53,500. On the higher end of the scale, Skerry Bridge will be given €115,000 and Knockamullen Bridge €125,000.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme