€23 million improvement for local roads

One of Galway’s most iconic bridges is set for a facelift, after €23 million was allocated to road improvements in Galway City and County this week.

The funding boost was confirmed by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on Monday and will facilitate “restoration maintenance grants, strategic improvement schemes and low-cost safety enhancement works”.

Among the allocations included in the funding is €400,000 towards improvement works on the Wolfe Tone Bridge, which is the focus of considerable traffic congestion at peak times.

The funding will go towards a study into traffic movement at the bridge, with a view to finalising options for improvement works by the end of the year. It is thought that the construction of a second bridge alongside the existing structure adjacent to Jury’s Hotel is one of the proposals being considered.

Deputy Brian Walsh welcomed the news yesterday, saying that the €2.1 million allocation for Galway City Council would allow for a range of low-cost safety improvements to be undertaken, including the realignment of the road at Dr Mannix Road/Devon Gardens with the provision of a zebra crossing.

“Other safety improvements will be undertaken at Grattan Road, Merlin Park junction, the Old Seamus Quirke Road and High Road in Briarhill,” he said.

“In the county, allocations include €250,000 for the improvement of the Oranhill to Rinville Road and €300,000 for the Connemara Access Road from Barna to Rossaveal. Substantial funding has also been allocated to ensure that our roads can be properly maintained, particularly during winter, and road safety improvement continues to be a priority for the Government.”

Galway County Council’s funding for 2012 includes €1.25 million for specific improvement works, €1.069 million for strategic regional and local projects and €16.03 million for other improvements, to include the €9.58 million for restoration improvement and €100,000 for signage and €4.6 million for maintenance.

Galway East Deputy Paul Connaughton also welcomed the news, particularly the 12 per cent increase in funding for road maintenance works.

“€9.58 million in funding has been provided for road restoration in the county, up €1.16 million, or 12 per cent on last year’s figure. This is the allocation used by the council to carry out day-to-day road maintenance on the county’s roads. This is a very significant increase and is extremely welcome because a large number of the county’s roads are in a very poor state of repair and require urgent work.”

Other allocations in the county include €300,000 for the R332 at Kilbannon, Tuam, €150,000 for the R351 Loughrea to Woodford road at Ballinagar and €250,000 for the R363 between Ballyforan and Ballinamore bridge.

Funding has also been provided for two relief road projects, namely €500,000 for the Athenry Northern Relief Road and €158,000 for the design stage of the Claregalway Relief Road.