Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2019
418. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of a new bridge at Ballina, County Tipperary; the stage at which the project is at; when the project will be completed; if there is sufficient funding available for the project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48723/19]
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.
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Shannon Bridge Crossing at Killaloe/Ballina. This bridge is one element of the proposed Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme. Clare County Council is responsible for implementation of the scheme which is at land acquisition, site investigation and design stage. An updated Business Case for the scheme is in the process of being finalised as required in the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework and in this context a construction programme for the Shannon bridge has not been finalised as yet.
Funding for the scheme is being provided from the Project Ireland 2040 capital envelope for regional and local road improvement projects. Schemes are being managed on a programme basis with phased implementation taking account of the profile of annual capital allocations.
