Westmeath County Council are set to receive over €12.8 million for regional and local roads, according to local Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke.
“This funding will be well spent keeping our commuters, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe on our roads. Road improvements will make up €6.5 million of the total fund, as well as restoration, where over €1 million will be spent.
“I am glad to see bridge rehabilitation projects continue to be carried out across the county, as well as funding for Community Involvement Scheme. Climate Change Adaptation Works are an important feature, with €70,000 specifically allocated for road edge protection measures in Golden Ireland. The Athlone Railway Link Phase 2 also features, with a €350,000 investment.
“Additional funding to increase signage is welcome too, including cycle signs and speed limit signage for both housing areas and in more rural areas. Specific safety works will be carried out in Moate, Ardnagrath, Mount Temple and in key other locations. €150,000 has also been allocated for badly needed resurfacing at Rochfortbridge,” Deputy Burke asserted.
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, announced details of a €597 million investment programme on Tuesday afternoon with overall funding increasing by over our percent this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened.
Minister Ryan also confirmed that a new two year work programme under the Community Involvement Scheme is starting this year with €15 million being allocated to the Scheme in 2022.
Funding of €16 million is being allocated for 350 bridge rehabilitation schemes to be progressed. Bridge rehabilitation work is consistently required to maintain and renew an old bridge stock which is made up of approximately 80 percent masonry arch structures.
Provision has been made for a limited programme of strategic road improvement projects with 12 regional and local road improvement projects were identified for development, subject to necessary approvals, in the original 2018-2027 National Development Plan.
Six of these projects have been completed and construction will be underway in 2022 on a further four.
