Transport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure in the areas of national roads, public transport, and regional airports into the future. However, in the light of the changed economic circumstances, it has been necessary to review investment priorities across all Government Departments. The results of this review are reflected in the Renewed Programme for Government and in my Department's transport priorities for the coming years which are as follows:
Roads
My Department's priorities for national roads are the completion of the major inter-urban network and the M50 upgrade by end 2010 and the progression of the Atlantic Road Corridor. The priority for regional and local roads will be to maintain the current level of funding and to focus that expenditure on protecting existing investment on these roads.
Public Transport
In addition to completing a number of important projects which are already underway, the priority for public transport is to deliver significantly increased long term capacity to the network through:
the construction of Metro North;
the construction of Dart Underground and the implementation of the associated electrification, signalling and rolling stock investments;
investment in buses, bus priority and real time passenger information, subject to the implementation of the recent cost efficiency reviews and the availability of subvention.
Airports
State airport investment is funded by the Dublin Airport Authority without recourse to the Exchequer. The priority for Exchequer investment in regional airports is the completion of existing contractual commitments.
Sustainable Travel
The priority for sustainable travel is the completion of a number of projects that are currently under construction. Further projects will be started in 2010. In particular, schemes will be selected from the Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas Fund and the Smarter Travel Demonstration Projects Fund competitions. Details of these will be available on www.smartertravel.ie as progress is made.
Maritime Transport
Government ports policy states that the commercial port companies should fund capital investment projects from their own resources without recourse to the Exchequer. However the Department will continue to fund remedial works at regional harbours.
Planning
We will also continue planning other investment projects across the sector to enable their earliest possible delivery when the economic situation improves.