Green light for road projects

FUNDING of €5.9m has been allocated to improve roads in County Louth, it has been revealed.

A number of road maintenance programmes in Louth have been given the green light following the announcement of the funding by Transport Minister Shane Ross. Louth will receive up to €3.4 million for restoration improvement works as well as €600,000 for restoration maintenance and €273,000 for supplementary restoration maintenance. In addition, there is a discretionary grant of €1.1million, safety improvement works of €167,000, a training grant of €30,000 and drainage works of €182,000.

Allocations made in Louth and Mid-Louth include €45,000 for the improvement of the road/junction of the Sacred Heart and Blackbush Lane, €25,000 for the improvement of the road/junction at Sunday’s Gate, €25,000 for the R166-81 Junction in Termonfeckin Village, €25,000 Termonfeckin National School and €25,000 for the Grangbellew Road Junction. The Minister noted that the 2018 investment programme also allows for a number of Capital Plan projects to progress, including projects added after extra funding was secured in the Capital Plan Review and this includes the Bettystown to Laytown Link Road in Meath.

Councillor Kevin Callan said the allocation of funds included restoration improvement, safety improvements, training and draining. He said that there are a number of other transport issues he is working on with the Minister in terms of Transport and Infrastructure including the Northern Cross Route and the ramp tolls on Drogheda. The news has also been welcomed by local TD Fergus O’Dowd: ‘ This funding will allow safety improvement works to be carried out throughout the county with Termonfeckin, Blackbush Lane and Sundays Gate.’