asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding road and bridge realignment plans for Bond Bridge, Maynooth, County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the efforts of Kildare County Council to raise the local contribution for the works involved; if he intends to provide for the works in the 1990 Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Kildare Bridge.
116.
Bond Bridge is located on a regional road and primary responsibility for improvements to the network of nonnational roads (including regional roads) rests with the local authorities, the cost being normally funded from local resources supplemented by the discretionary grants provided by the Department for such roads.
The local authority's consultants have prepared preliminary design and cost estimates for a scheme involving improvements to Bond Bridge and the nearby railway bridge, and the improvement of the immediate approach roads. The estimated cost is £624,000. The authority have requested special road grant assistance for the scheme.
The question of special road grant funding to meet an appropriate share of any costs arising on the scheme in 1990 will be considered when the road grant allocations for next year are being determined. In the meantime, the Department will contact the local authority on the question of the level and phasing of funding that would be available from local resources towards the cost.