Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
1566. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the funding for the Ballina-Killaloe bridge is ring-fenced; the value of the funding; when the project will commence; the estimated timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41668/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Shannon Bridge Crossing at Killaloe is one of a number of schemes included in the Capital Plan 2016-2021 designed to address bottlenecks on the road network. The bridge is the 1st phase of the Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme. In planning the construction schedule for individual projects included in the Plan, account has to be taken of the annual budgets in the Capital Plan and the need to phase projects to manage the available budgets.
Following the conclusion of the judicial review relating to the Killaloe Bypass/R494 scheme, it is now a matter for the local authority (Clare County Council) to progress the scheme, including agreeing the project cost and timeline with my Department.
