Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism & Sport to continue discussions around National Development Plan

Representatives from Louth County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are due before the Committee to discuss the N52 Upgrade, or what is known as the Ardee Bypass. 

It was initially intended that the contract for the project would be awarded by the end of 2019, with work commencing in 2020.

Wednesday’s meeting will commence at 1.30pm, with the topic for consideration later-on in the afternoon, as the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Committee Chairman Fergus O’Dowd TD explained, ahead of the second meeting related to the National Development Plan, following on from discussions surrounding the Dunkettle Interchange in Cork.

Deputy O’Dowd explained: “The N52 Upgrade at a cost of €34 million is ready to go to tender, however we have received a letter from TII based on correspondence they have received, and issues raised by local residents and others. They (TII) have requested a review of the scheme by Louth County Council to consider and address the technical and environmental issues up front in the interests of the taxpayer and residents, it is to be carried out as soon as possible but it will result in a delay.

“The purpose of Wednesday’s meeting is to understand the reasons for this delay, the challenges which the project faces and solutions to be found. It is hoped the bypass will greatly reduce the large volumes of traffic in the town of Ardee and alleviate the traffic backlogs experienced throughout the day, especially at peak times”, added Deputy O’Dowd.

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