Press release
€517 million for Ireland’s national roads and greenways in 2024
Published on
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Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Jack Chambers have announced over half a billion euro of funding for national roads and greenways through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in 2024.
€412 million of Exchequer funds is being provided for national roads to local authorities for the progression of a number of new road projects which are currently under construction or in early stages of the development process. This funding will also ensure the protection and renewal of the existing network, which has expanded significantly over the past few decades, to ensure it remains in a safe and robust condition. In addition, a separate allocation of approximately €33 million is being provided for the day-to-day maintenance of the national road network.
Some of the major new national projects that will progress include the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge, the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy, the N25 Midleton to Youghal (Castlemartyr and Killeagh Bypasses), N17 Knock to Collooney and the N4 Mullingar to Longford roads.
Many by-passes and relief road schemes will also progress, including those around the towns of Adare, Virginia, Listowel, Ardee or Foxford, for example. The 2024 funding allocations are made having regard for the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP), which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government on housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan.
A separate allocation of €72 million is being provided to local authorities to progress 70 Greenway projects across the country. The funding will see more Greenways completed in 2024 like the Limerick Greenway or the Waterford Greenways. In addition, the first section of the Midleton to Youghal Greenway will open in March, with other schemes moving through planning and design stages.
Speaking on the national roads allocations, Minister Ryan said:
“A priority for this government is to ensure that the national road network we have put in place is safe and well maintained for all road users. Another priority is that we progress with the construction of by-passes around our historic market towns, so that people can enjoy safe, liveable, thriving communities without congestion and excess through traffic. These allocations are another milestone in a pathway of strategic investment in our National Road network over the remainder of this decade.”
Minister of State Chambers said:
“There has been a great deal of investment in the National Road network in recent decades. This has helped to improve regional connectivity and has supported economic development across the country, and the allocations which are being announced today build on this. Our first priority should be to safeguard our existing national roads to ensure that they are in a safe and robust condition for all road users. Over the lifetime of the NDP, €2.9 billion has been earmarked for this purpose.
“As part of the NDP, Government has also earmarked €5.1 billion for spending on new national roads projects until 2030. While the greater portion of this funding will become available during the second half of the decade, many projects will continue to be advanced in 2024."
It is expected that approximately 65km of Greenways will be delivered in 2024 with planning decisions expected on a further 35km of Greenway. The remaining schemes will continue to be progressed through the design and feasibility stages.
The allocations will also be used to begin delivery of the National Cycle Network (published in January 2024), which identifies 3,500 km of cycling corridors around the country linking cities and towns of over 5,000 people.
On the Greenways allocations Minister Ryan stated:
”I’m delighted to announce the 2024 Greenways spending programme. It means that we can expect that many projects of national and regional significance will be completed this year, like the Carlingford Lough Greenway and the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway in the Northeast or the continued construction of the magnificent South Kerry Greenway in the Southwest. While these projects are great tourism amenities, greenways are first and foremost for locals so that they can visit neighbours, get to school or into their local towns safely.”
Minister Chambers commented:
“The dividends associated with the increased level of investment in cycling and walking infrastructure in recent years are becoming evident with an acceleration of scheme delivery in the Greenways programme.”
This Greenway allocation forms part of the overall Programme for Government commitment of €360 million per annum dedicated funding to walking and cycling which will offer a safe, sustainable and healthier alternative to private car use for those who can avail of it.
These allocations will allow the progression of a number of major new national roads projects: