Question Heading

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2017

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Questions (62)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has identified the most strategic and urgently required arterial road replacement and improvements projects; the extent to which these projects are or can be included in the capital programme; the extent to which it is expected that these projects will assist the free flow of traffic and improve the travel time, locally or nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42151/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the Deputy is aware, the Capital Plan sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. The decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. In this context it was not possible to include a range of projects in the Plan given the overall funding envelope available. 

The extra allocations being made available as a result of the Capital Plan Review will also allow planning to progress on some additional road improvement projects.