The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has welcomed the announcement that the €200 million N5 road project from Turlough to Westport is included in the Capital Plan that the Government has announced today.
The €27 billion national plan will see a range of projects completed throughout the country in the areas of transport, education, health, housing and flood protection.
Welcoming the announcement of the N5 the Taoiseach said: "This huge project is of vital importance to the infrastructure of Mayo and will secure both investment and jobs in the county. The road has been sought for many years by Mayo’s business community and will finally be delivered by the present Government. The development will have a major impact on the region and I am delighted that we have been able to include it in the Capital Plan which I announced today. €6million has been allocated for works this year (2015 ) and it is hoped that a fencing contractors will be appointed year end.
This is part of the major development of roads in Mayo which will include the Ballina to Swinford (N26/N58/N5 ) in respect of which further planning is required and which will continue over the coming period. These developments will completely alter entry into Mayo for business and consumers alike."
The road will include an eastern bypass if Castlebar, a northern by-pass of Westport, an upgrade to the existing N5 east of Castlebar, a bridge crossing of Lough Lannagh and an upgrade to an existing bridge crossing the Castlebar River. The proposed road development comprises of 23.7km of type two dual carriageway, 3.1km of type two single carriageway, six roundabouts, two rail bridges, 11 over-bridges, two under-bridges and seven farm underpasses.
He concluded saying "today's announcement is very good news for our county and will change the economics of the western region. The Capital Plan announced today will provide many much needed projects throughout the country as the recovery begins to take hold."
