Almost €71 million has been allocated by the National Roads Authority for improvements to Westmeath’s national primary and secondary roads in the coming year.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey announced details of the 2009 allocation of €70,879,703 on Wednesday this week.
The majority of the money, a total of €69,118,915, is to go towards improvements to six primary and five secondary roads across the county.
The Kilbeggan to Athlone and Kinnegad to Kilbeggan stretches of the N6 are to benefit from the largest amounts, receiving €30.5 and €35.4 million respectively.
The Mullingar - Longford - Rooskey stretch of the N4 is to benefit from €1.55 million in funding for improvements. A sum of €500,000 is to go to The Downs Grade-Separation; €50,000 to the N4 between McNeads Bridge and Kinnegad; and €30,000 for safety measures on the N4 at Rathowen.
Three sections of the N52 secondary route are also to benefit; Carrick Bridge to Clonfad is allocated €400,000; the Mullingar by-pass €333,000; and Mullingar to Belvedere €140,000. A sum of €10,000 has been set aside for traffic calming measures on the N55 through Glasson village.
In addition a total of €245,000 is to go towards improvements and the surfacing of pavements on the county’s national secondary routes.
The remaining €1,760,788 of the NRA allocation is to be used for the maintenance of Westmeath’s roads. This includes annual resurfacing, bridge and motorway maintenance, route lighting, and winter maintenance.
Speaking following the announcement of the allocations, Mullingar’s Cllr Ken Glynn particulary welcomed the amounts earmarked for the N52 between Mullingar and Belvedere and the Mullingar by-pass.
He also said locals in the Downs area would welcome the allocation for the “dangerous stretch of road” at The Downs Grade-Separation.
"I warmly welcome these allocations for the improvement in infrastructure, the additional employment this will offer, and also the commitment of national Government to our area. Given the times we are in, it is a huge boost to the county.”
Announcing a total of €1.44 billion in NRA allocations for the country in 2009, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the funding demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to upgrade the country’s national road infrastructure.
“This Government is committed to progressing projects that will maintain employment and underpin our economic development. The 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 inter urban programme delivering over 742 kms of new motorway right across the country.”
Chief executive officer of the NRA, Fred Barry, added; “In 2008, the National Roads Authority completed all projects on average approximately four 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.”
