"Government's 10-year transport investment package to focus on regional balance" says Minister Cullen
The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD said today (Monday, 13th December 2004) that infrastructure investment is crucial to continue to "protect and grow jobs in the West".
Minister Cullen was speaking in Co. Mayo where he officially opened Stage 1 of the €16m Ballina to Bohola primary road. He said the new road "illustrates the Government's commitment to delivering shorter, safer and superior journeys for the 9,700 vehicles using the N26 everyday."
The Stage 1 of the project involves the construction of 4.7km single carriageway road to replace the current sub-standard National Primary route.
Minister Cullen also announced that the 10-year transport infrastructure package to be unveiled early next year will have a strong focus on regional balance.
"The BMW region will prosper if we can ensure key infrastructure projects are delivered upon. Planning and delivery of infrastructure is a key priority of the National Spatial Strategy. The 10-year package unveiled in the Budget means Government can plan with certainty for road and public transport investment for the years ahead. Well-connected and strategically planned infrastructure is crucial in addressing regional imbalance. The package I am currently finalising will reflect this and in doing so give businesses and jobs in the BMW region a better chance."
The N26 Ballina Bohola Stage 1 scheme is a key component of the strategy to develop the road link from Ballina to the N5 Westport Dublin Road and facilitate traffic movement along the corridor between the National Spatial Strategy designated hub towns of Ballina and Castlebar.
Minister Cullen highlighted the benefits of the €150m monthly road investment by Government.
"Countrywide, increasing road traffic volumes and transport bottlenecks are challenging us to accelerate the pace of the national roads programme. Improved roads provide benefits by cutting journey times. In this competitive environment, time savings generate an economic advantage and these savings are translated ultimately into jobs.
"Road improvements must also be seen in terms of quality of life for people. With the opening of every new road, towns become places to go to, not places to go through. Getting to work, school or play becomes less of a guessing game. This represents good investment of our taxes."
Construction of the Ballina to Bohola project took just over a year, evidence that projects are now coming in "on time and on budget", the Minister said. Minister Cullen added that N26 upgrade would bring clear benefits including:
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It will mean a much improved quality of life for residents and assist the sustainable growth of the area;
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It will reduce travel times on the N26
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It will improve safety levels resulting in a reduction of accidents
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Contribute to the provision of a consistent standard of national road;
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Reduce transport costs and facilitate competitiveness in the transport of goods and
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Provide significant environmental benefits with the reduction of noise and air pollution.
Minister Cullen said the new N26 forms part of the strategic national roads policy to improve the primary and secondary road networks as stated in the Government's National Development Plan and is also in line with the National Spatial Strategy objective of upgrading cross regional link roads.
Minister Cullen highlighted that the new road will deliver a significant road safety dividend. "New and upgraded roads provide a much safer driving environment. This type of investment is a key part of the new Government Road Safety Strategy", he concluded.
ENDS
Further info:
Dan Pender (01) 6041089 or 087 2313415
Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 or 087 6430622
Note for Editors
Other scheme on the N26 route is:
This is a 17km scheme extending from Carrowntreilla to the N5 at Bohola, and encompassing the Foxford Bypass. When completed it will replace the existing N26 to Swinford, and the N58 between Foxford and Ballyvary. It will cater for traffic travelling from Ballina towards Dublin, Galway and Castlebar. The Preliminary Design and EIS preparation phase is under way and scheduled for completion in Quarter 2 of 2005.
Other Government schemes in Co. Mayo
Schemes Completed
N17 Knock/Claremorris By-Pass - €70.55m investment
This project consisted of a 16km bypass of Claremorris and Knock on the N17 Galway/Sligo Road.
Schemes in Progress
Pavement Improvement Programme
Over €7.8m is being invested by Government in Mayo on pavement improvements on primary and secondary roads in the county. A pavement contract extending the quality pavement past the village of Bohola was completed in October 2003. In addition, a supplementary contract was let extending westwards from the Swinford By-pass. The final section of pavement improvement scheme at Ballymiles will be completed in 2004, in line with the programme outlined in 2001. On completion of this section, quality pavement will extend from Castlebar to the eastern end of the Swinford By-pass.
Schemes in Planning
N5 Charlestown By-Pass (Swinford to County Boundary)
The overall length of the scheme is 18km with an estimated cost of €63m. The EIS was published and the CPO Order for the scheme was made at the end of March 2004. An Bord Pleanála decision was received in November 2004. Approval has been given for the scheme subject to modifications. The N5 Charlestown By-Pass is considered a priority scheme in Co.Mayo. The project will go the tender in 2005.
N5 Westport / Castlebar
The overall length of the scheme is 15km with an estimated cost of €58.37m. The Preliminary Design and preparation of statutory documentation is nearing completion.
N17 Collooney to Charlestown
The N17 Collooney to Charlestown Road Realignment consists of 25km of standard two lane road between Collooney and Charlestown. The scheme extends from Annaghmore 10km south west of Collooney, to the village of Curry located north west of Charlestown and bypasses Ballinacarrow, Tubbercurry and Curry and will tie into a scheme being prepared by Mayo County Council north of Charlestown.
PDF map attached
