€21m in road grants for Westmeath

Over €9.3 million in central Government funding for bypass has been set aside for bypass works on national roads in Westmeath, as part of the National Roads Authority's 2010 National Roads Allocations, announced this week by Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey TD.This includes a €6,056,000 allocation for the bypass for Kilbeggan and Moate, as well as a further €3,270,000 for work on bypassing Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass, on the M6 between Kinnegad and Kilbeggan.The allocations are part of an overall grant of €21,396,201 for Westmeath County Council.Other major schemes benefitting from funding are the Kinnegad-Enfield Bypass (€20,000), McNead's Bridge/Kinnegad (€55,000), the Mullingar-Longford/Roosky N4 (€314,567), The Downs' N4 Grade-Separation (€614,567). A further €7,067,000 has been allocated for the Athlone Bypass Overlay and Rehabilitation, with a further €67,000 set aside for weather related pavement rehabilitation along national routes in Westmeath.National secondary routes have also benefited from monies.A total of €451,000 in safety funding has been provided, including: €53,000 for the bends at Southill, Delvin plus sightline improvement; €48,000 for the N52 at Delvin (Clonyn Road); €50,000 for the road between Cornamaddy and N6 Athlone Bypass, and a further €300,000 for traffic calming measures in Glasson.A total of €400,000 will be provided for repairing and widening bridges in Westmeath and Longford.Major national secondary schemes benefiting in Westmeath include the Carrick Bridge to Clonfad N52 (€414,567), Mullingar Bypass (€165,000) and the Mullingar/Belvedere N52 (€190,000).Just under €1 million has been allocated for pavement and minor works: €350,000 for pavement surfacing works, €188,000 for weather-related pavement rehabilitation; €300,000 for the Cornamagh to Cornamaddy road, Athlone; and €150,000 for Kilgarvin Glebe in the Athlone area - a total of €988,000.A total of €930,800 has been granted for maintenance on National Primary routes, under the headings of bridge (€7,000), motorway (€343,700), ordinary (€46,500), route lighting (€93,600) and winter maintenance (€440,000).Finally, a fund of €459,700 has been set aside for maintenance on national secondary roads. Under the same headings, €120,300, €5,000, €160,000, €29,400 and €145,000 has been granted respectively. The road improvement and maintenance allocations were welcomed this week by Fianna Fáil's Senator Camillus Glynn. "I particularly welcome the allocation of €55,000 to McNead's Bridge/Kinnegad, as this will greatly assist in shortening the journey for people travelling to the east and to the northwest to Sligo," he said."The allocation of €400,000 to repair and widen bridges in the area is good news for all road users." Senator Glynn also welcomed the proposed improvement at The Downs, Mullingar, saying that it would "ensure much greater road safety conditions for people using this road"."I also welcome the progress being made with major schemes, those being Mullingar-Longford/Roosky, Mullingar Bypass and the Mullingar/Belvedere N52," he said.The allocations for weather-related rehabilitation works have also been welcomed.