Laois gets over €14m for local and regional roads
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ALMOST €14.5m has been granted for regional and local roads in Laois this year.
The funding will go towards maintenance and improvement works on roads and bridges across the county.
A total of €14,454,450 was announced for Laois today as part of a €713m national funding package, an increase of over eight per cent on last year.
More than half the Laois funding, at €7.6m, will be spent on restoration and improvement works on local and regional roads.
A total of €425,000 has been granted for climate adaptation works, over €560,000 for bridge works and over €395,000 for road safety improvements.
Another €700,000 will go towards rehabilitation works on the N7 former national road, while €100,000 will go to the Portarlington relief road.
Under safety and specific improvement works, funding of €495,000 will be shared by projects in Stradbally, Portarlington, Ballybrophy, Sheffield Cross and Ballycarnan Cross in Portlaoise, Derrynaseera in Mountrath, the Knock NS school junction, the Bog Road in Ballyroan, the approach road to Shanahoe GAA club, Sampson’s Court Lane on the Ballinakill to Castlecomer Road, Brockra and Grangemore.
A further €563,500 for bridge rehabilitation works will go to Garryhinch, Spink, Cloncough, Shanahoe, Ballyfin, Inchacooley, Beechmount Bridge in Rathdowney, Baylough and the old railway bridge in Colt, Ballyroan.
Transport minister Darragh O’Brien said the main priority of the funding programme is the ongoing maintenance and renewal of regional and local roads, alongside ‘strategic investment’ in developing and improving the road infrastructure network.
Welcoming the announcement, local TD Seán Fleming said: “This investment will fund the repairing, strengthening and maintenance of Laois roads and ensure they are fit for purpose. Maintaining and improving roads is crucial to our local communities across Laois.”
He added: “I want Laois County Council to ensure that all this funding provided by the government is 100% utilised this year, for the benefit and safety of all people who use these roads in the county.”
