Funding boost paves way for Gort to Tuam motorway

PLANS to extend the M18 from Gort to Tuam, which it is hoped will begin next year, drove forward this week with funding of €4.5 million granted for “preparatory works” on the project.

 

More than €1.6m was also allocated to the maintenance and management of the national road network in Clare during 2013. The funding scheme, which is being administered by the National Roads Authority, is separate to the allocations made for regional and local roads.

Junior Minister and Galway East TD, Ciaran Cannon, has confirmed the construction of the motorway remains a priority for Government and that “rumours that the development might not go ahead are not well founded”.

“We see from this week’s announcement by Minister Varadkar that the Gort to Tuam motorway remains very much a priority for our Government. The investment this year of €4.5m will allow the NRA to carry out certain preparatory works in anticipation of the final contract being awarded later this year or early next year,” said Minister Cannon.

Minister Varadkar announced a major cull of national roads projects in November of 2011, citing a lack of resources as a result of the economic downturn.

“The Gort to Tuam motorway was one of only three projects nationally to survive the cull. Despite that vote of confidence in the west by the government, there has been much speculation in recent weeks that the project had been mothballed but [this] announcement of further investment indicates that the project is still very much on track.

“I remain in constant communication with both Minister Varadkar and the Taoiseach on this issue, as we all agree that this final section of motorway is a vital piece of infrastructure for the West of Ireland. [This] announcement is a major milestone in the development and it sends out a very strong signal of intent from the Government that this project will shortly become a reality. At this point in time, the NRA’s energies are focused on furthering a project at Newlands Cross. Once that is underway, I am confident that we will see things happening quite quickly on the western front,” concluded Minister Cannon.
In total, in excess of €18.2m has been made available for road improvements and maintenance in County Galway. These include major schemes such as a first installment towards preparatory works on the M18 Gort to Tuam motorway, the Gort-Crusheen bypass on the M18 and a realignment of the N18 near Castletown, Gort.

East Galway Labour TD Colm Keaveney said the realignment of the N18 at Castletown addresses “serious safety concerns and removes threats to the welfare of motorists and other road users”.

“The announcement of €4.5m being made for preparatory works to the M18 Gort to Tuam motorway is significant. There had been serious concerns on the funding being secured for this project. I have been engaged in discussions for many months with the Minister for Public Expenditure to ensure this project goes ahead as it is of critical and strategic importance to the east of the county. The construction of the road will provide much-needed employment opportunities and in the long term the motorway will open up the area to investment and job creation,” he said.

Clare senator Martin Conway noted the money ringfenced for the Gort to Tuam segment of the road would clear the way for “a necessary extension of the Shannon to Gort motorway. It will improve connectivity up along the west coast and it shows the Government is committed to finishing a high-quality road network up and down the country”.

The funds announced this week also include €1.1m for the Crusheen bypass and over half a million for the upgrade of a road in West Clare and the installation of pedestrian crossings in Ennistymon.

“The allocation to County Clare also includes some provisions for accident remedial works and traffic-calming measures, which are important components in the development of the local road infrastructure,” Senator Tony Mulcahy added.

“This includes a €520,000 upgrade of the surface at Rineen on the main Miltown Malbay to Lahinch road, the provision of pedestrian crossings at Main Street in Ennistymon and a €73,000 allocation towards winter maintenance of Clare’s national road network,” he added.

Senator Martin Conway, who owns a shop in Ennistymon, is eager to see the crossings in place.

“The problem in Ennistymon is that the town is built around the N67, the main national secondary route connecting Galway to Kerry via the ferry. It is also enduring the bulk of the 900,000 people visiting the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. As a result, there are times, especially in the summer, when elderly people cannot cross the road. Many people have called for a long time for a pedestrian crossing on the N67 and I am delighted that €30,000 has been made available to erect a pedestrian crossing. I would be very hopeful that there will be further monies allocated for additional pedestrian crossings,” he added.

Just over half, or €868,000, of the €1,635,000 allocated to Clare County Council is being targeted at improvement works across the county during 2013.

Safety improvements are earmarked for the N67 crossroads with the L6091/L6092 at Carnaun, Kilrush; N67/L2009 crossroads at Circular Road, Kilkee; the N67 bend at Carrowdotla North near Moneypoint; pedestrian crossings at Main Street, Ennistymon and improvement works along the N68 at Caherea.
Pavement and other minor works are scheduled to be carried out at Rineen, repairs to the road at Cloonboy and repair works at Annagh.

An additional €99,950 has been allocated towards the Local Authority Support Improvements Scheme.

Meanwhile, €277,000 and €458,000 is being allocated to maintenance projects along Clare’s National Primary and Secondary routes respectively.

A further €31,482 is going towards the Local Authority Support (Maintenance) 2013 CE and Local Authority Support (Winter Maintenance) 2013 CE schemes.