Network of roads in line for huge upgrade

TRANSPORT is one of the biggest beneficiaries in the Government’s budget with Finance Minister Brian Cowen announcing an overall investment package worth €2.7 billion.

Key transport projects will receive significant funding allocations due to their key role in assisting the Government’s primary economic objective of investing in projects to provide sustainable development in the years ahead.

More than 60% of the total funding for transport will go toward extending and upgrading the national roads network.

A projected total of €1.7bn will be spent during 2008 on improving interurban routes.

“They are absolutely integral to economic activity and long-term economic and social prosperity,” said Mr Cowen.

Among the individual projects to benefit from the funding will be the M50 upgrade scheme, especially the completion of the freeflow interchange between the N7 and M50 at the Red Cow junction.

The country’s busiest motorway is also expected to see a reduction in traffic congestion at the notorious bottleneck at the Westlink Bridge, which will introduce barrier-free tolling next autumn.

Other road projects due for completion next year include a 29km section of dual carriageway on the N6 between Kilbeggan and Athlone; a 37km section of dual carriageway on the N8 between Cashel and Mitchelstown and a bypass of Carlow involving 19km of dual carriageway.

An additional €600m will be available for regional and local road schemes through a combination of Exchequer and local government funding.

The Tánaiste also announced that public transport schemes will receive a capital budget of €1bn.

Work on key projects including the Cork-Midleton commuter railway line and the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Athenry will intensify in advance of their planned opening in 2009.

Construction is also due to begin on the initial phase on the Dublin-Navan railway line which will see services linking the capital and Dunboyne.

Extra funding will also be provided to increase capacity on the existing two Luas lines, including an additional 40% increase in passengers on the Tallaght service.

Construction work will also continue on Luas extensions to the Dublin docklands and Cherrywood in south Dublin.

However, the details of the funding for key transport projects will come as no surprise as they had already been well signalled as they play a central role in the National Development Plan and the Department of Transport’s blueprint, Transport 21.

Mr Cowen said postponing or delaying the implementation of the NDP would represent a major policy error that could damage economic activity.

Further details of individual transport projects are expected to be announced by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey later today.