The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., announced the allocation of €13.5 million in 2016 for sustainable transport projects in our regional cities.
Among the types of projects that will benefit from this funding are road improvements and junction upgrades to improve bus priority, the provision of additional cycle infrastructure and enhanced pedestrian safety measures.
Funding is also being provided for Irish Rail to continue its programme of improvements to Kent Station in Cork and for Bus Éireann for the refurbishment of Colbert Station in Limerick including completion of the public plaza fronting the station the construction of which commenced last year.
In announcing details of the 2016 funding allocation for the regional cities Minister Donohoe said; ‘Providing more sustainable travel options in our regional cities is becoming increasingly important as congestion levels are on the increase again in many urban and provincial locations. This presents a challenge in what is a very positive picture with greater numbers of people returning to employment as our economic recovery continues. With so many competing demands for public funds, I am particularly pleased that I was able to secure the same level of funding for 2016 as was allocated in 2015 for sustainable transport projects in our regional cities. This will ensure that many of the very worthwhile projects that got underway over the past few years can be continued and some will be completed which will make public transport and other sustainable forms of commuting like cycling and walking more attractive’.
Details
The 2016 funding allocation for the Regional Cities sustainable transport projects will see the advancement of 35 projects across the cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Among the projects that will be funded are:
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The completion of the public plaza area fronting Colbert Railway Station in Limerick, and design and planning of further enhancements to the station including a revised bus station layout and refurbishment of the station interior;
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Finalisation of the construction of a new entrance to Kent Station in Cork improving the station’s connectivity and integration with the city centre;
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Construction of improved cycle, pedestrian and bus linkage between Kent Station and Cork City Centre incorporating junction upgrades, bus priority improvements and provision of cycle facilities;
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The completion of the Carrigaline Green Route for bus services in Cork infilling the missing link along Maryborough Hill;
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The construction of bus lanes and cycle infrastructure along the N17 Tuam Road in Galway and detailed design and planning of the Bearna Greenway;
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Phase I of a Cycle/Pedestrian Route connecting the Mall to the WIT Green Route in Waterford.