Galway’s local authorities are to receive almost €23 million in funding from the Department of Transport, for the maintenance and improvement of city and county roads.
The allocation, made this week, includes restoration maintenance grants, strategic improvement schemes, and low-cost safety enhancement works.
The Galway County Council will receive €20,632,255, of which €4.6 million will go towards maintenance allocations and c€16 million in respect of road improvement projects.
These include €250,000 for the improvement of the Oranhill to Rinville Road; €300,000 for the Connemara Access Road from Barna to Ros an Mhill; €158,000 for the design stage of the Claregalway Relief Road; and €111,000 for the Galway City Western Route.
The Galway City Council will receive €2,120,169, €400,000 of which is for the improvement of the Wolfe Tone Bridge, which is the focus of considerable traffic congestion at peak times.
Other works will be the realignment of Dr Mannix Road/Devon Gardens, where a zebra crossing will be provided (cost €18,000 ); safety improvements at Grattan Road (€28,000 ), the Merlin Park junction (€3,300 ), and High Road in Briarhill (€10,600 ). A total of €28,000 has also been provided for a Zebra Crossing near Ashe Road.
Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames said the grant will see “much needed improvements in our roads and will ensure that roads are maintained for the upcoming year.”
Her party colleague, Galway West Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh, also welcomed the funding saying this “substantial funding” showed “road safety improvement continues to be a priority for the Government.”
Labour Galway West TD Derek Nolan said: “This is the kind of investment we need to continue the Government’s plan for infrastructural improvements and, at the same time, provide real and desperately needed employment opportunities at a local level.”
