Eva Osborne
additional reporting Jordan Norris
€23,618,750 in funding has been allocated for improving and maintaining Waterford’s road network.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State Seán Canney and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer have announced an investment programme of €713 million for regional and local roads in 2025.
This represents an overall increase of over eight per cent in funding this year for road and safety improvements on the interconnected regional and local road network.
Announcing the funding, Minister O’Brien said: “My main priority is the ongoing maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network, alongside strategic investment in developing and improving the road infrastructure network.
“Rehabilitation and maintenance is fundamental to keeping the network in a good condition, and a significant increase in funding has been provided for in 2025, with most of the funding going towards restoration of the network. This is essential for maintaining social and economic connectivity, linking people and places across the country.”
“In addition to maintaining our current road network, we are developing and upgrading this infrastructure through investing €70 million in vital strategic projects which are continuing to be progressed.
"These include those identified for development under the National Development Plan such as the Shannon Crossing and Killaloe Bypass project in Killaloe and Ballina, and the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road in Limerick City.”
Among those to welcome the news in Waterford is Government Chief Whip, Mary Butler TD.
The Waterford Minister stated: "This investment will allow us to repair, strengthen and maintain our roads across Waterford, ensuring they are fit for purpose. We are dedicating resources towards key initiatives such as road repair, bridge rehabilitation, road safety measures, community engagement, drainage improvements, and climate change adaptation.
“I am particularly pleased to see €250,000 allocated for the latter stages of road safety improvement works at the R680 Old Kilmeaden Road. This funding will also be utilised for important traffic calming measures and active travel works.
“€350,000 is also being provided for the R675 East Boatstrand Road Realignment project. These safety works will focus on the issue of coastal slippage which is very welcome considering parts of the roads had collapsed due to erosion in certain areas.
“Money is also being provided for bridge rehabilitation works at Shandon Island Bridge (€170,000) and Monalour Bridge (€150,000) which will be welcomed by the local communities.
“€2,500,000 has been allocated in funding for roads specifically affected by severe weather. Many main roads and key routes in West Waterford and beyond have been affected by significant weather events which unfortunately seem to be occurring more frequently in recent years.
Minister Butler continued: “Maintaining and improving our road network in Waterford is crucial to sustaining and developing our local economies across the county. These roads are imperative for children getting to school, people getting to work safely, and more.
“This allocation for Waterford is part of a national investment package of €713m aimed at restoring the network which is essential for maintaining social and economic connectivity, linking people and places across the county.
“Central to this is the need to ensure that the journeys that people take are as predictable and as safe as possible. Investment such as this is so important for rural regeneration, which is supplemented by the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network in Waterford,” concluded Butler.
The allocation comes just days after Senior Roads Engineer for Waterford City and County Council, Gabriel Hynes stated that an additional €10m would be needed to bring some roads up to 'an acceptable standard'.
As part of the €70 million investment, more than €20 million is being allocated under the Specific Grant category for smaller-scale road improvements.
These grants will fund a variety of projects, including bridge repairs, junction reconfigurations and initiatives to reduce traffic congestion in towns.
They will also aim to enhance access to educational institutions, businesses and public transport. Funded projects in 2025 include rehabilitation of Ballycorkey Bridge in Co Westmeath and R595 Old Court, Skibbereen to Baltimore realignment in Co Cork.
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said: “This crucial funding will enhance road safety, with funding being allocated for over 330 safety projects this year, an increase of 20 per cent from last year.
"These safety schemes aim to implement remedial measures to improve the overall safety of our road network, benefiting all road users. Increasing funding in safety projects is vital in reducing road fatalities and serious injuries, and helps to create a safer transport environment for all.”
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
