Minister Micheál Martin welcomes National Roads Authority funding for 2005.

“The provision of a high quality road network is essential for the successful promotion of enterprise and investment both at national and regional level” Minister Martin

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin today (Wednesday February 23^rd 2005) welcomed the announcement by the National Roads Authority of the funding for the National Roads Programme 2005.

Minister Martin said, “this year’s National Roads Programme provides an investment of €1.4 billion towards substantial improvements in the national infrastructure and will see the completion of 8 major projects and the commencement of a further 19 new projects. The provision of a high quality road network is essential for the successful promotion of enterprise and investment both at national and regional level. I am pleased to note the allocation of €65.5m for the improvement of the roads infrastructure in Co. Cork and the allocation of €29m for road improvements in Cork City.”

Major projects which are to receive NRA funding include the Kinsale Road Interchange (€20m) the Fermoy Bypass (€18.3m) the Mitchelstown Western Relief Road (€12m) and the Ballincollig Bypass (€7.5m).

Minister Martin added “the allocation of €6.6m towards road maintenance projects in Cork County and City is also to be welcomed. The Government is committed to continued infrastructural development as a means to improving the business and community life of each region as is clearly demonstrated by the investment of €1.4 billion in the national roads programme for 2005.”

ENDS

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