Laois getting €13.6 million for road and bridge repairs and flood prevention

Laois is to get almost €13.6 million for repairs this year on some of its regional and local roads, as well as on flood prevention in housing estates and repairs to bridges.

The county's share is out of €626 million for Ireland, announced by the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD this Tuesday, February 14.

Included for Laois is €324,000 for Safety Improvement projects across the county including two in Abbeyleix at Crookedwood Cross and on the Ballyroan Road, at Clonard in Mountrath, Tinnahinch in Rosenallis, Ballygauge in Ballacolla, Killenard railway bridge and The Heath Cross.

There will be €410,000 invested for climate change adaptation works, including flood prevention in housing estates.

Nine Laois bridges are to receive a total of €535,000 including Woodenbridge in Ballacolla and Boleybeg Bridge in Spink. 

Two Laois roads that were downgraded from being N7 and N8 national roads are getting €650,000 in repairs, the R445 and R639 near the M7 motorway in south Laois. 

Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes the Government announcement of €13,586,290 for the improvement and maintenance works on regional and local roads in Laois in 2023, particularly the safety improvement works.

"This funding is to carry out road pavement and rehabilitation works and for regional and local roads to be maintained and strengthened.  

"I would in particular like to highlight the special funding allocated to the Meelick Road, Portlaoise; Woodenbridge, Ballacolla; Boleybeg Bridge at Spink Creamery; The Heath Cross, Portlaoise and Tinweir, Durrow.

"This announcement, so early in the year, gives Laois County Council plenty of time to carry out all of these very important works in 2023," Minister Fleming said.

Deputy Charlie Flanagan has also welcomed the funding.

“I very much welcome confirmation that Laois County Council is to receive €13,586,290 for regional and local roads this year.

“The main priority in 2023 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local roads. The total figure of €13,449,496 for Laois includes the significant amount of €6,920,500 for restoration improvement,  €1,010,500 for Restoration Maintenance and €410,000 for Climate Change Adaption & Resilience Works.

“This funding for roads in Laois will make a big difference to people and businesses locally. Ensuring the upkeep and maintenance of our road network is essential in facilitating our future economic growth and securing job creation,” Dep Flanagan said.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett from Offaly also welcomed the announcement for Laois.

"It is vital for both the communities and economy of Laois that our regional and local roads are maintained and strengthened, and all the more important now that we must adapt to climate change," she said.

“I am glad to see a Specific Improvement Grant of €150,000 for Meelick Road and a total of €650,000 for rehabilitation works to R445 and R639 which were formally the N7 and N8 respectively.”

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“This funding is allocated to a broad variety of road maintenance and improvement aspects across Laois. In addition to the projects named there is additional funding allocated to road safety schemes and signage that target improved road safety for vulnerable road users and vehicular traffic.”

“These grants supplement local authorities’ own resources expenditure on regional and local road projects and does not represent the total investment in regional and local roads for this year,” she said.