BREAKING: Funding boost for major Athlone road plan
Funding of €350,000 for design work on the planned new Station Field Road in Athlone has been announced this morning.
Longford/Westmeath TD, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran welcomed the announcement of the funding made by his Government colleague, Transport Minister Shane Ross as part of a €9.8m investment in regional and local roads in Westmeath.
“This is excellent news for the county and I am delighted that a number of key probjects that I have strongly argued for, have been included in the 2019 allocation,” said Minister Moran.
In particular, the funding of €350,000 for the Station Road Field in Athlone allows the project to progress to the appointment of consultants and design team.
“This is a key infrastructural project that I have been directly involved in since my days as a councillor and I am delighted to announce today’s funding. The project is one that I have always made sure that funding would be provided for.”
The road is designed to link the St Vincent's Care Centre junction with the Crescent Junction in Athlone - running the other side of the CIE bus depot to the existing Southern Station Road. Advocates believe it will be a key step in alleviating traffic delays at the Crescent Junction in Athlone.
“I am also particularly pleased to have secured €1115,000 for the R390 Walderstown Realignment which is another scheme that I have been working very hard on. I also welcome the additional €15,000 for Corr Bridge.”
While the funding in 2019 will largely continue to support the maintenance of our current regional road network, expenditure on road improvements projects has increased. Last year’s allocation to Westmeath was €7.9m and Minister Moran has warmly welcomed the increase of almost two million euro.
“I am especially pleased that the 2019 grant allocations include important initiatives in the area of Bridge Rehabilitation Works on Regional and Local Roads.”
Minister Moran added: “I am particularly pleased that the need to invest heavily in the improvement and maintenance of roads in Westmeath has been recognised by my colleague, Transport Minister Shane Ross.”