€16.2 million for Mayo’s national roads

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has confirmed €16.25 million for Mayo from the Transport Infrastructure Ireland grant allocation for national roads.

It includes allocations for the N26 and Ballina bypass as well as safety works on the N5 Swinford bypass.

Said Minister Calleary: “I am happy that Mayo County Council has been allocated over €16.2 million towards the national roads network in the county.

“The breakdown of funding includes €14.7 million in capital investment for the protection and renewal of existing routes.

“I am particularly pleased that over €800,000 has been allocated to the N26 with €485,000 for Mount Falcon to Foxford section and €360,000 for the Ballina by-pass.

“There is also €300,000 for the N5 Swinford bypass for safety works, with €90,000 for the N5/R320 junction and €355,000 for the N58 Foxford to Ballyvary.

“Funding has been allocated towards the costs incurred in constructing pedestrian crossings in Foxford, Balla, Tooreen, Ballyheane and Shrule while Ballina’s pedestrian crossings have been allocated funding towards upgrade works.

“€1.2 million has been set aside for maintenance of national primary and national secondary roads in the county to include route lighting and maintenance.”

He added: “The N26, including the Ballina by-pass, and the N58 Foxford to Ballyvary are very important route developments for north/east Mayo and I am pleased that they will progress further with this additional funding. It is imperative these particular projects progress as quickly as possible.”

Minister Alan Dillon noted other allocations such as €906,000 for works at Heathlawn and Manulla Cross on the N60, and said he was also delighted to see €88,000,000 allocated to the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge project, which is under construction, while the N17 Knock to Collooney project has been allocated an additional €1,000,000 to progress its design.

“Projects such these demonstrate the clear commitment to the ongoing development of our national road network,” he commented.

Minister Dillon was also pleased to see €2,500,000 to progress to the next phase of the N4 Mullingar to Longford dual carriageway. “This road will assist the thousands of commuters who travel this route from the west daily and weekly.”