asked the Minister for the Environment the plans there are between his Department and the local authorities concerned to improve on a co-ordinated basis the standard of the Waterford-Dublin road.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford—Dublin Road Improvement.
17.
The road development plan provides for improvement of all national primary roads to a prescribed minimum two-lane standard. It makes specific provision for major by-passes at Naas, Castledermot, Leighlinbridge and Thomastown: a new route from south of Naas to Kilcullen; improvement to dual-carriageway standard from Grannagh to Waterford city; and a new bridge over the Suir to replace the existing Redmond Bridge. The plan makes provision also for a programme of improvement works at various locations on the existing road line.
Road grants totalling over £4 million have been allocated to the route this year in respect of the Naas By-Pass and works at other locations in County Kildare; at Woodquarter in County Kilkenny and at Royal Oak-Leighlinbridge, Leighlinbridge—Carlow and Wells in County Carlow. Tenders have been invited for the new bridge at Waterford and planning is in progress for the by-passes of Leighlinbridge and Thomastown.
That is great news. Can the Minister give a time schedule for the works he has listed?
The Naas By-Pass is ongoing. Most of them are in the process of commencement. The Naas By-Pass is well advanced.
I am aware of that.
Work on the Naas By-Pass is well advanced and grants totalling £5.8 million have been allocated. Detailed design and CPO documents for the Leighlinbridge By-Pass are being prepared at present and it is understood from the engineering section that the CPO is likely to be submitted shortly to the Department. Preliminary route investigations of the Thomastown By-Pass are in progress and tenders have been invited for the new Redmond Bridge in Waterford.
Has the Minister any idea when work at Leighlinbridge will commence?
No. Documents for the Leighlinbridge By-Pass are being prepared at present.
That is only planning.
CPOs are likely to be submitted to my Department shortly.
If the compulsory purchase order is accepted by the landowners there and they get the land, when will work commence?
I could not say. If the Deputy puts down a specific question on that I will get more details.
When does the Minister expect completion of the Naas By-Pass?
Progress is very good. It might be towards the end of my term in office—about 1985. No, I think it will be open next year.
It will help the Minister to get to Cork faster.
The Minister will be back in Cork soon.
Deputies should address their questions through the Chair.