[PR] 2009 Road Allocations

Victor

There is still an awful lot of work ongoing, even if there is only one nation road project starting this year.

http://www.transport.ie/pressRelease.aspx?Id=46

Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey announces €1.44 billion allocation for 2009 National Roads Programme
28 - 01 - 2009

Transport Minister Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D. and National Roads Authority (NRA) CEO, Mr. Fred Barry today announced details of the Government’s €1.44 billion investment in the National Roads Programme 2009. This investment demonstrates Government’s continued commitment to upgrade the country’s national road infrastructure. It is being made under the Transport 21 Programme and the National Development Plan (NDP). The overall allocation represents an average investment of €120 million per month in Ireland’s national roads.
* A total of €1.44 billion of funding for the National Roads Programme under Transport 21/NDP will be allocated in 2009. This funding will finance 315 projects throughout the country.
* All remaining connecting sections of the Major Inter Urban (MIUs) motorways are now under construction. The NRA is on track to complete the four remaining motorways by 2010.
* As of January 1, 2009 approximately 478 km of new roads are under construction.
* N21 Castleisland Bypass will start construction in 2009
* 156 km of new roads will be completed in 2009. The projects are; N4 Leixlip to M50 Junction; N6 Athlone to Ballinasloe; N7 Nenagh to Limerick; N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown; N9 Waterford to Knocktopher; N9 Kilcullen to Carlow, N51 Navan Inner Relief Road and the N25 Waterford City By Pass
* Seven projects are moving forward into the Compulsory Purchase Order stage in 2009 .These projects are (N11) Gorey to Enniscorthy (incl Enniscorthy Bypass); (N20) Cork to Limerick Northern Section; (N20) Cork to Limerick Southern Section; (N22) Ballyvourney to Macroom; (N22) Cork Northern Ring Road; (N25) Carrigtwohill to Midleton and (N56) Mountcharles to Inver.
* In 2009 work will continue on 17 major road projects at a total cost of almost €5 billion.

Among the road projects delivered in 2008 are:
* Phase 1 and 3 of the M50 (between the Ballymount and Blanchardstown Junctions)
* Barrier-free electronic tolling which saw the removal of the West-link toll plaza (shaving 30 minutes off journey times for southbound motorists at peak hour)

Speaking today about the €1.44 billion investment for national roads, Minister Dempsey, said: “This Government is committed to progressing projects that will maintain employment and underpin our economic development. The almost billion and a half euro funding that we have allocated for national roads in 2009 will allow for the continued upgrading of our road network so that road users can enjoy safer, more efficient journeys. By 2010 we will have completed our major motorway programme delivering over 742 kms of new motorway right across the country.”

The Minister added: “The projects that will be funded in 2009 will be built to various scales and are located throughout all regions. What is common to all, however, is that they make for safer, better roads. High quality dual carriageways and motorways are proven to be seven times safer than the roads they replace. By opening over 156km of new roads in 2009 we will be making a significant contribution to the safety of our national road network.”

Chief Executive Officer of the NRA, Fred Barry, said: “In 2008, the National Roads Authority completed all projects on average approximately 4 months ahead of schedule. The programme is being delivered below budget, and an outstanding economic return is being achieved. These road project investments are typically delivering returns of over twice the investment cost.”

Issued by:
Department of Transport Press Office
Olive Stephens 01-6041089

NRA Press Office
Sean O’Neill (086 8230600)

Appendix 1 - National Road Projects Completed in 2008
Appendix 2 - National Road Projects to be completed in 2009
Appendix 3 - National Roads Projects started in 2008
Appendix 4 - National Road Projects to Start in 2009
Appendix 5 - National Road Projects in Construction at 1 January 2009
Appendix 6 - Projects Proceeding to CPO/EIS in 2009
Appendix 7 - 2009 National Road Grant Allocations to Local Authorities

Appendices attached in word doc below:

http://www.transport.ie/uploads/documents/news/Appendix%20NRA%20National%202009%20final.doc

http://www.transport.ie/pressRelease.aspx?Id=47

Minister Noel Dempsey announces €607.5 million for 2009 Regional and Local Roads Programme.
02 - 02 - 2009

* €310 million for pavement improvement and maintenance
* €182 million on 316 specific road improvement projects
* €15 million for local improvements, improving access to isolated and depopulated areas
* €8.6 million to address accident blackspots

Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey, T.D. today announced details of the Government’s €607.5 million investment programme in the regional and local road network for 2009.

Speaking today about the 2009 investment programme. Minister Dempsey said:
“I am particularly pleased that in a year when exchequer funding is under enormous pressure I am in a position to allocate over €600 million for the maintenance and improvement of our regional and local roads network in 2009.

These roads serve an important economic role and have valuable social and community functions. 94% of all our roads are regional or local – they carry about 60% of all traffic and 43% of all goods traffic. It is, therefore, imperative that we maintain and, where necessary, improve the network.”

“Since the mid-1990s we have invested over €2 billion in a programme of road restoration and reconstruction and we have also spent about €650 million on road maintenance works to make our roads better and safer.”

The Minister added: “This programme is continuing in 2009. I have allowed 50% of the total available funds - €310 million – for the Pavement Restoration Programme, which is intended to improve 2,540 kilometres of road this year and will surface dress a further 4,200 kilometres.”

The second major element of the 2009 grants will result in an investment of almost €182 million in 316 specific improvement projects of various scales. This will include new roads and bridges and road and bridge upgrade projects. This programme involves:
* Strategic road projects which make a substantial contribution to the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy. This mainly involves investment in and between the Gateways and Hubs designated in the Strategy;
* Roads which open up strategically placed landbanks for housing and related development in, or adjacent to, the most densely populated urban centres where housing needs are greatest; and
* Projects in all areas that support employment and economic activity. This includes roads which link to other transport infrastructure and which support industry, agriculture, tourism, fishing and forestry.

Referring to the Government’s Road Safety Strategy that was published in late 2007, the Minister pointed out: “Safety is central to all road improvement and maintenance work and is a key plank of the road investment programme. As in previous years, I am making specific allocations this year to tackle accident blackspots. This year, specific safety measures will be put in place at over 300 locations.”

The other main elements of the 2009 investment programme include improvements to signposting on regional roads, traffic management measures, improvements to footpaths, and grants for road worker training programmes.

A total of €15 million has been set aside this year for the Local Improvements Scheme. Under this scheme, grants are made available to county councils for the carrying out of road works on private roads. Works carried out provide improved access for people in isolated and depopulated areas.

The Minister also stressed the importance of local authorities in the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local roads network. “State grants are a supplement to expenditure by the local authorities. All authorities need to maintain and even increase their own expenditure on their road networks.”

ENDS

(Summary of Grant Allocations Attached below)


Note for Editors

The 2007 – 2013 National Development Plan reflects the importance that the Government attaches to this network. The Plan provides for investment of €4.3 billion of Exchequer and Local Government Fund monies in regional and local roads. These funds will be aimed primarily at improving and maintaining the network and catering for investment in strategic routes.

Further information:
Press Office, Department of Transport (01) 604 1090/(01) 604 1091

http://www.transport.ie/uploads/documents/news/2009%20Grant%20Allocations%20Summary.doc

Carawaystick

Is the red cow junction on the M50 finished? I saw cones there last weekend at the edge of the mainline m50

Victor

It must be close enough to it. I think the last bit was dependent on the changeover of Luas and that was done months ago.

Chris_533976

Im guessing all the lanes are open but final alignment, landscaping and clearup still has to be done.

Carawaystick

the bauld Noel voting Machine Dempsey wrote:

Among the road projects delivered in 2008 are:
* Phase 1 and 3 of the M50 (between the Ballymount and Blanchardstown Junctions)

Either this is true or it is false. I'd imagine any reasonable person to believe "delivered" means finished. Email sent to the nra to find out the date itfinished.

L1011

Carawaystick wrote: »

Either this is true or it is false. I'd imagine any reasonable person to believe "delivered" means finished. Email sent to the nra to find out the date itfinished.

Did the final alignment of the Red Cow not happen in late November?