€ 50m to be spent on roads
OVER €50 million has been allocated to road development in Kerry this year in an increase of over €7 million on last year's allocation for primary and secondary roads.
€42 million has been granted by the National Roads Authority (NRA) towards major road projects, including €25 million towards the construction of the Tralee bypass; €525,000 for the N23 Farranfore to Kerry Airport; €250,000 to progress the Listowel bypass; €800,000 for the N86 Tralee/dingle road; €12 million for minor improvement works.
Meanwhile, the Department for Transport has allocated €8.1 million under the restoration improvement works scheme — an increase in over €800,000 on last year's allocation. However, allocations to regional and local roads are down by €30,000 — one of the few disappointing reductions as far as Kerry County Council is concerned.
"In relation to the primary and secondary roads, we're up €7 million in all, to almost €42 million this year," Kerry County Council Communications Officer Pádraig Corkery said. "We are happy to see this increase, which is mostly related to the Tralee bypass which this year is to receive €25 million."
Minister for the Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, welcomed the funding announced by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar this week.
County Councillor Patrick Connor Scarteen, who is the chair of the Roads and Transport Special Policy Committee of Kerry County Council, also welcomed the funding: "I believe these road allocations will be really good for Kerry. There are some big infrastructural projects going to happen as a result. It is a very significant allocation, good for local residents and for people visiting the county."
- DÓNAL NOLAN
