Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Roads Projects.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

156 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the progress which has been made by the group of senior officials, chaired by his Department, considering additional funding for the national roads project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7106/03]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

166 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport if the cross-departmental team on infrastructure and PPPs has discussed the new change of policy on road building by the NRA when the width of the motorways are being reduced; if new specifications will have to be provided for such projects; if so, if there will be an additional financial burden on the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4518/03]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

168 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport if the cross-departmental team on infrastructure and PPPs has discussed the likelihood of private enterprise involvement as a percentage of the overall cost of the major roads projects; if the team has discussed the percentage of road completions likely by 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 166 and 168 together.

The sub-group of the cross-departmental team on infrastructure, housing and PPPs, which is examining additional funding options for the national roads programme and other programme management issues, will shortly present its report to the cross-departmental team and Cabinet sub-committee. The report will provide a basis for the team and the Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure, housing and PPPs to review the funding and management of the programme having regard,inter alia, to its increased cost. It will also assist the cross-departmental team and Cabinet committee in reviewing progress to date in implementing the programme, the outlook to 2006 in terms of project completions, and the potential for additional private sector funding over and above the PPP programme already being implemented.

The position in regard to the overall funding of the programme is that Government has maintained investment in upgrading the national roads network at a high level. The 2003 Estimates provision of €1.209 billion will bring total Exchequer investment in the programme over the period 2000-03 to approximately €3.8 billion – more than €900 million in excess of that provided for in the NDP. The increased cost of the programme means that some projects will take longer to deliver than originally envisaged but the hugely increased level of investment will nevertheless allow good progress to be maintained.

The position in regard to carriageway width is that the National Roads Authority revised its design standards in relation to motorways and dual carriageways in December 2000. This standard, published in the design manual for roads and bridges, provides for a narrower central median incorporating a containment barrier. Previous practice was to rely on a wide central grass median as the primary safety feature. The adoption of the new standard, which is consistent with international practice, makes it possible to reduce the carriageway cross section from 36m. to 26m. without any diminution of road safety. Cost savings will arise from the smaller land take required but some of this will be offset by the cost of the median barrier.