Killaloe Bypass and Ballina To Birdhill Regional Road Upgrade Receives Funding

Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market & Data Protection Pat Breen announced that  funding has been allocated for the Killlaloe Bypass and the upgrade of the existing R494 regional road from Ballina to the N7 at Birdhill  following the Capital Plan Review.

Minister Breen said that the Shannon Crossing Bridge at Killaloe in also included in the Capital Plan, and will move to construction on a phased basis over the next few years.

“Overall an additional €486 million was secured for roads for the period 2018 to 2021, bringing total roads investment for this time to €4.26 billion,” said Minister Breen.

“I am particularly pleased that this announcement today brings the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme a step closer. Clare County Council has a lot of preparation work completed on this project, and were hopeful of beginning work on it early next year, subject to Government funding. I am therefore pleased that the council’s work has been recognised and the project included in the Capital Plan Review.

“Once this work is completed local people, commuters and tourists will benefit from a western bypass of Killaloe, a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgrade of the existing R494 regional road from Ballina to the N7 at Birdhill,” the Clare Minister of State added.

“Enhancing local infrastructure helps improve the lives of Clare people, as well as making the area even more accessible.  I believe this particular project will achieve these aims.”

“In addition, a package of extra measures will now be implemented on our road networks across the country including reduced energy usage for route lighting, minor improvement works and community involvement programmes, together with the assessment of potential future projects,” Minister Breen.

“The original Capital Plan projects remain a top priority and these projects continue to be advanced and a construction schedule is in place for the projects with planning permission.”