€3m funding for Garrycastle Bridge works

In the region of €3m in funding has been granted for the realignment of Garrycastle Bridge. Local Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden has welcomed confirmation from Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar that an allocation of approximately €3 million has been approved towards the construction costs of the Garrycastle Bridge Scheme over the next three years. Minister Varadkar confirmed the funding following a Parliamentary Question tabled by Deputy McFadden. Deputy McFadden said: "On foot of an application from Westmeath County Council, Minister Varadkar confirmed that he had recently approved an allocation of approximately €3 million in 2013, 2014 and 2015 towards the construction costs of the Garrycastle Bridge Scheme. The scheme consists of approximately 700 meters of new single carriageway road along the R916. It will cross the railway line from Mullingar to Athlone with a new bridge being built over the railway. "The scheme will also include the provision of new cycleways, footpaths and lighting along the proposed road," Deputy McFadden said. "This allocation will allow for the construction work on this scheme to proceed, with construction expected to take approximately 12 months. Westmeath County Council has allocated €649,000 towards the project costs in 2013. The Department of Transport has contributed almost €3 million to date towards the land purchase and design costs of this project."