Trevor Sargent
Question:179 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the reason most major road and rail projects run substantially over budget; and the measures he takes to monitor the cost of major infrastructural projects. [12519/03]
Written Answers. - Infrastructural Projects.
The main reasons for the increased cost of the national roads programme are construction cost inflation, higher land acquisition costs, particularly in Dublin and adjacent to urban areas and exceptional items. While responsibility for the management of project implementation and costs rests with the agencies, arrangements have been put in place by my Department for the regular monitoring of individual major infrastructure projects with particular reference to project costs, progress and target dates for completion.