Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
426. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the need for an outer orbital dual carriageway for Dublin or upgrades to the M50 in view of recent surveys and reports that the M50 route is at breaking point with a 19% increase in traffic volumes since 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32616/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) 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.
Decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan in the period to 2022 were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with some targeted investments to improve the existing network. The Capital Plan reflects the overall funding envelope available in the period to 2022 and there are no proposals at present to amend the plan in advance of the mid-term review.
I am very conscious of the pressures on the M50 which reflect the return to economic growth. A €1 billion upgrade of the route was completed in 2010 and there is no scope for a further capacity upgrade. In the short to medium term, it is a case of TII and other stakeholders implementing measures to manage the operation of the M50 as efficiently as possible. It is hoped that the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel for services on the Kildare commuter rail line and the new LUAS Cross City line, which will be in operation in 2017, will be of significant help in this regard. The Capital Plan also envisages significant ongoing investment in replacement and enlargement of the PSO bus fleet.
