€25.2 million allocated for Clare’s regional and local roads in 2021
- Bulk of funding will go towards road improvements
- €4m ringfenced for Shannon Crossing
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the allocation of €25,266,904 in roads funding for Clare in the 2021 investment programme for regional and local roads.
The €555m national funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,450kms to be strengthened.
“This funding will mark a significant investment in the roads infrastructure in Clare,” said Deputy Crowe.
“Some €11.2m will go towards restoration and improvements on the county’s regional and local roads – there is a vast network of these once you come off the dual carriageway or the motorway and drive into rural Clare and they provide essential connectivity not only for those who live in these areas but also for tourists, when we can welcome them to our county again.
“The 2021 allocation marks an increase of almost a million on last year’s figure and though it’s still a million short of the 2019 figure, it’s most welcome to see it on an upward trajectory again.
“I’m also very pleased to see certain sections of the funding ringfenced for specific projects.
“A total of €4m will go towards the Shannon Crossing project – this in total is expected to cost in the region of €69m and will see the new Shannon River Crossing, Killaloe By-Pass and upgrade of the Ballina to Birdhill R494 road.
“I hope that we see work commence on this by summer.
“€100,000 has been allocated for works on Henchy’s Cross on the main Ennis to Tulla Road – those familiar with this section will be all too aware that it’s very difficult to see approaching cars and I hope that this funding will address that issue.
“€687,000 will be spent on upgrades to 30 bridges dotted around the county and
“It’s also important to note that these grants supplement local authorities’ own resources expenditure on regional and local road projects and do not represent the total investment in our county for the year – but this financing will play a huge role in ensuring that the network of roads here is up to scratch.”
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