No ‘substantial’ funding for East-West link likely this year
A report in 2011 recommended the complete upgrading of the route.
Works on the long awaited East-West link are likely to only take place in stages and it’s not likely any “substantial allocation” of funding will be given this year.
Councillors were updated on the long-awaited project at their January monthly meeting but they were not left entirely optimistic about the potential outcome of the ongoing work.
First mooted over two decades ago, the East-West link would see the upgrading of roads through Cavan to link Dundalk and Sligo. A report in 2011 recommended the complete upgrading of the route.
However, due to changes in criteria and rules around public spending, the entire project must now be restarted.
Beset with delays and cancellations, planning was restarted in recent years but is again making slow progress.
Senior Engineer John McKernan told the meeting that, if given the go ahead, works would likely take place in stages and only then between Cavan town and Dundalk.
A report looking at the options for the progression of the project is expected to be presented to the council shortly. It follows the allocation of €130,000 in funding to allow for preparatory work.
That report is being compiled following survey work to examine traffic on the route and the areas with the most “collision risk” and other “priority sections”.
John McKernan said traffic numbers “is a part of the risk [assessment] but only a part”.
He admitted it could be years before any substantial work is carried out.
“I can’t see a substantial allocation [of funding] this year. It could be two or three years before there is funding for construction.”
He said the council has made an application this year ahead of the publication of the report in order to get consultants on board to begin the planning process.
Cootehill Councillor Aiden Fitzpatrick (FF) was critical of the length of time it has taken to get the project off the ground.
“It’s great to see there is the start of progress, possibly, but it is going on 20 years. We all know how necessary it is to get this road improved. It’s a pity we have to put up with just doing a few stretches of it over the next 10 years realistically.”
Aontú Councillor Sarah O’Reilly questioned the amount of money already spent on the project over the past two decades, particularly on consultancy services.