Stop the roundabout I want to get off

Victor

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=6144&lang=ENG&loc=1801

Minister Cullen outlines transport investment for 2005
18 November 2004

Minimum 7% increase to €2.119bn for roads, smartcards, QBCs and disability programme

Minister Martin Cullen said today (18th November, 2004) that his first Estimates at the Department of Transport will enable record infrastructure investment by Government in rail, road and bus transport in the year ahead.

Outlining a minimum 7% increase in transport spending for 2005, Minister Cullen said the €2.119billon secured represented what is the first stage of the Government's transport strategy for next year.

He said that he is currently finalising a significant capital transport package as part of the Budget and that this, taken with the Estimates, will benefit jobs, the regions, commuters and businesses.

"A modern infrastructure is a critical feature of a modern economy. Today's Estimates are an important staging post in the delivery of a modern transport system. I look forward to further structural progress in this regard on Budget day", said the Minister.

Among the highlights of the Government's transport spend for 2005 are:

* €9m in 2005 to deliver integrated ticketing. 'Smart cards' will be launched on Luas in early 2005 to be followed by Dublin Bus later in the year (total projected cost, €29.5m)
* 367kms of new roads for the year
* 103 new rail carriages
* €5m for commencement of work on a new rail station in the Docklands. Major benefits for Western line (Maynooth commuters, Sligo users etc.) and relieve capacity constraints on Connolly Station
* 5 new QBCs for Dublin, 3 new Green routes for Cork and 1 QBC for Galway in 2005
* 40 new DART carriages for 30% capacity increase
* €10m for special programme for improving public transport accessibility for people with mobility and sensory impairments in addition to ongoing investment in public transport infrastructure for accessibility
* €3m for the Rural Transport Initiative

On Public Transport, Minister Cullen said: "There will be significant further improvements in Public Transport next year. The additional capacity and increased frequency of services already in evidence as a result of the massive investment of €1.6 billion since 1999 will be further augmented by an investment of €686 million in 2005."

On roads he commented: "The Government is building roads because they protect and grow job opportunities and protect and grow community life in all parts of our country. Over €1.3 billion will be invested in roads in 2005 alone."

The Minister also committed €24 million for Regional Airports in the year ahead.

ENDS

Further info:
Dan Pender (01) 6041089 or 087 2313415
Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 or 087 6430622

SUMMARY


Public Transport

* There will be an increase of 6% to €686million of investment in the Public Transport system for 2005. The highlights for the coming year include -
* Introduction into service of 36 additional diesel railcars will increase capacity on Sligo line and on Maynooth suburban rail services.
* Completion of DART Phase 1, with 30% increase in DART capacity and commencement of Phase 2 involving upgrade of signalling to give increased train paths across the City.
* Delivery and introduction to service of 67 Intercity carriages for Dublin Cork line, improving service quality on the line and allowing Irish Rail to cascade existing rolling stock to other lines and remove from service older, life-expired carriages.
* Commencement of Cork Commuter Rail Project involving relaying of track from Cork to Midleton and development of a number of new stations from Mallow to Midleton. Service to commence 2007.
* Commencement of work on a new rail station in the Docklands to relieve capacity constraints on Connolly Station and allow for increased service, particularly on the Western suburban line.
* Continued roll-out of traffic management schemes in Dublin, including the introduction of new QBCs. There are currently 9 QBCs in Dublin; 5 are in the course of construction and will be opened in 2005.
* In Cork, the first 2 Green Routes are due to be completed before the end of 2004. A further 3 are due to be completed and opened in 2005. Work is proceeding at different levels on another 5 routes and the programme is due to be completed by end 2007. Galway has 1 QBC under construction, while Waterford and Limerick are at planning stage.
* The subvention to the CIE companies is being increased by 3% to €269million. This will allow the operating companies to continue to upgrade the quality and frequency of the services they provide to attract increased numbers to Public Transport.
* As part of the phased rollout of smart cards for passengers under the integrated ticketing initiative, smart cards will be launched on Luas in early 2005 to be followed by cards on Dublin Bus services later in the year.


National Roads Programme

The total spend on the national roads development programme sees an increase of 7% to €1.319 billion. This together with a carryover of €50 million and some €245 million of PPP funding will maintain the high level of investment in this major infrastructural programme.

In line with the Programme for Government, the NDP and the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme the development strategy for national roads is focused on completion of the 5 major inter-urban routes to motorway/dual carriageway standard, completion of the Dublin Port Tunnel and M50 (including upgrade), major improvement works on other national primary routes, and pavement restoration on national secondary routes.

For 2005:

-12 national roads projects (136kms), continued construction on a further 9 projects (191kms) and the completion of 6 projects (40km) of new roads,


National Road Projects to Start in 2005

M1 Drynam Interchange (Contribution)
N1 N.I. Border/Dundalk
N3 Clonee/Sth of Virginia By Pass (PPP)
N4 Edgeworthstown By-Pass
N6 Kinnegad/Athlone (KTK Phase 1)
N8/N73 Mitchelstown Relief Road
N11 Enniskerry Junction Improvements
N25 Kinsale Road Interchange
N25 Waterford City By-Pass (PPP)
M50 Improvements (Phase 1)
N56 Mountain Top


Projects Continuing in 2005

M1 Dundalk Western By-Pass (PPP)
N2 Ashbourne ByPass/M50 Jct
N2 Carrickmacross By Pass
N4 Kinnegad/Enfield By-Pass (PPP)
N4 McNeads Bridge - Kinnegad
N4 Sligo Inner Relief Road
N6 Loughrea By-Pass
N7 Kingswood Interchange
N7 Naas Road Widening
N8 Fermoy By-Pass (PPP)
N15 Ballyshannon/Bundoran By Pass
N18 Ennis By-Pass
N21 Ballycarthy/Tralee
N22 Gortatlea/Farranfore
N30 Enniscorthy/Clonroche
M50 South Eastern Motorway
M50 Dublin Port Tunnel
N52 Mullingar By Pass
N55 Cavan By Pass


Regional Airports

Funding for Regional Airports also shows an increase of 7% to €24 million.
This investment should ensure continued growth in passenger numbers, aircraft movements and employment throughout the sector, in line with targets set by Government in the NDP Programme Complements. It will also see:

-Full compliance with safety standards
-Financially independent and viable airport companies
-Airports better placed to maximise contribution to regional development

jank

N25 Kinsale Road Interchange

Yea right!