Written Answers Nos 600-611
600. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a project (details supplied); the budget that has been allocated for the project; the dates for the planned completion of each stage of the project; the date for the planned completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9347/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
601. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget for a project (details supplied); the status of the project; the dates for the completion of each stage of the project; the date for the completion of the full project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9348/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Shannon Bridge Crossing at Killaloe is one element of the overall Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme. Following the Capital Plan Review, it is the intention that the Shannon crossing will progress together with the Killaloe bypass and R494 Upgrade as a single scheme. Clare County Council is responsible for implementation of the scheme, including the construction programme.
I understand that Clare County Council is in the process of appointing engineering consultants to carry out detailed design and progress the appointment of a contractor. While the programme is dependent on Clare County Council, it is likely a contractor could be appointed and construction commence in 2019. While the sequencing of the works is a matter for Clare County Council, the Shannon crossing element is likely to take approximately 18 months to construct with the full project taking approximately 36 months from the start of construction thereby giving a projected completion date in 2022. While the scheme will be subject to competitive tendering the overall budget is in the region of €49 million.
602. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the delays and congestion in the north west of Dublin city and the significant increase in bus times for persons in these areas; if the cause of the congestion has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9364/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's, NTA, transport strategy for the greater Dublin area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the strategy. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.
A number of key public transport projects will be delivered across the Dublin region over the period of the new national development plan 2018-2027 which will address growing congestion in the city and capacity constraints on the existing public transport network. These projects include BusConnects, Metro Link and priority elements of the DART expansion programme. In addition to these, there will be continued investment in sustainable transport projects including traffic management and other smarter travel projects along with new urban and cycling routes in Dublin to allow transport infrastructure to function more effectively and relieve congestion.
BusConnects is the main investment priority for public transport to address growing congestion in Dublin in the short to medium term. A radical improvement in the bus system can deliver a step change in performance across all areas of the Dublin region within a relatively short time. BusConnects will provide a greatly enhanced bus service across Dublin, with high quality infrastructure, including continuous bus lanes as far as is practicable along the busiest bus corridors along with a network of park and ride facilities at key locations, enhanced services and major improvements in ticketing and information. The advantage of a bus-based solution is that the implementation can start quickly and the benefits of BusConnects can start coming on stream progressively from 2019.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for further reply on the information sought and issues raised. The Deputy should contact my office should a reply not be received within 10 days.
603. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason €320 million has been put aside in the national planning framework for the runway at Dublin Airport which the daa was due to finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9366/18]
View answerThis national development plan sets out the significant level of investment, almost €116 billion, which will underpin the national planning framework and drive its implementation over the next ten years. €91 billion in Exchequer funding for public capital investment has been allocated and will be supplemented with substantial investment by commercial State owned enterprises.
Commercial State-owned enterprises are a significant tool in delivering public infrastructure objectives without the need for Exchequer funds, including in particular energy, public transport, ports and airports.
As the deputy is aware, daa announced its plans to proceed with the construction of the North Runway in 2016. The runway is estimated to cost in the region of €320 million in 2016 prices.
The daa finances all major capital projects from debt and retained earnings and the company is in a strong position to secure financing for the north runway. Separately, the commission for aviation regulation has established a funding mechanism for recoupment towards the cost of construction of the runway.
604. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a project (details supplied); the expected completion date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9386/18]
View answer609. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod upgrade; the expected completion date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9406/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 609 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
605. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms of reference for the proposed review of the western rail corridor phase 2 and 3; the person or body that will be carrying out the review; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9394/18]
View answerThe programme for a partnership Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of the western rail corridor, WRC, phase II between Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use. The national development plan, which was published last week with the national planning framework, restates this commitment.
As the Deputy is aware, the programme for a partnership Government also commits that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of the western rail corridor for rail use. Arrangements for the proposed independent review of WRC are currently being considered by my Department.
606. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the definition of the phrase targeted improvements as used in respect of the N26 and the N59 on page 40 of the national development plan; the proposed timeframe for such improvements; the likely investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9395/18]
View answer607. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recent fatality on the N5 at Swinford, County Mayo; the views of TII on the safety of this section of road in view of numerous accidents in recent years; the plans TII has to address the deficiencies on this section of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9396/18]
View answer608. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans TII has to upgrade the surface of the N5 from Rathcroghan to Tulsk, County Roscommon in view of its unstable state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9397/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 606 to 608, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
610. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if each capital application to his Department for projects in County Wexford will be provided; the type and extent of each application; the status of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9414/18]
View answerIn relation to national roads, the allocation of capital funding to local authorities is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I am, therefore, forwarding the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
In terms of regional and local roads, funding is allocated to local authorities for maintenance and renewal of the network on a programme basis. Funding under the main grant programmes is allocated on the basis of the road length in a local authority area. Each year local authorities are able to apply for grant funding for safety improvement works and for bridge rehabilitation works. This year Wexford County Council has been allocated funding totalling €249,000 for 16 safety improvement projects and funding of €257,000 for nine bridge rehabilitation projects.
The Department has initiated an application process for community involvement schemes in 2018 and Wexford County Council will also be able to apply for funding under that grant programme.
€100,000 is profiled in the 2018 coast guard budget for works on Fethard-On-Sea coast guard station in 2018.
Details of sports capital programme applications and allocations are published on my Department’s website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
611. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application (details supplied) by Limerick City and County Council to TII; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9452/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
