Increase in funding for Cavan's roads

€17 million will be spent on upgrades, improvements and maintenance.

Almost €17 million has been announced for works to local and regional roads across Cavan.

The Department of Transport allocation for the county has increased by over €1.3 million on last year’s amount.

€16,809,860 will go towards a range of works in Cavan this year, including maintenance, improvement works, bridge rehabilitation and drainage and safety works.

The single largest project allocation in Cavan this year is €500,000 for improvements at Derrylea Bridge outside Ballyjamesduff.

Cavan County Council aims to widen the dangerous bridge and straighten the road, removing a series of bends close to three junctions on the R194 road to Granard.

The bridge carries the busy road over the Claddagh River.

Another €100,000 is to go towards works at Assan Bridge, a 200 year old structure in need of repair.

Safety improvements are also planned for the main Cavan to Cootehill road, with €164,000 in total going towards three separate projects between the towns.

The notorious Rathkenny bends look set to be removed with €100,000 earmarked for improvements at the site which has seen a number of serious collisions in recent years. A meeting of the local Municipal District last year heard claims of 16 accidents at the corners since 2016.

€64,000 is to go towards rehabilitation works on Cullentragh Bridge on the route. Rehabilitation works are planned for 16 bridges in total, with €685,250 allocated to projects.

Safety improvements works will see €300,000 spent on eight projects. This includes the Rathkenny project but also improvements on the Kingscourt to Carrickmacross road at Cabra, the Killeshandra to Ballinagh road at Marahill and on the Ballyconnell to Ballinamore road.

Seven projects will share in funding under the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Works programme where €505,000 will be spent.

Projects including works to reduce the impact of flash flooding along the old N3 at Pollamore, works to prevent flooding along the L3026 at Crosskeys and the raising of the L2512 at Dingins in Gowna are included.

Funding will also go towards improving signage, the community involvement scheme and the active travel schemes. A discretionary grant of €2,379,000 has also been allocated to Cavan County Council.

The funding, and the increase compared with last year, has been welcomed by local representatives.

Rural and Community Development and Social Protection Minister and local Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys highlighted the important role roads play in Cavan:

“Maintaining our regional and local road network in both counties Cavan and Monaghan is not only important for connectivity, but crucial to ensuring safety on our roads, reducing road collisions and protecting lives.

“Funding for the roll out of a signage programme relating to lower speed limits in housing areas as well as ‘safe passing’ signs for cyclists will also be provided for as part of today’s allocations.”

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomed the increase in funding:

“I welcome this substantial funding which will considerably enhance our local and regional road network throughout all of the county.

“I had raised through Dáil Debates and through Parliamentary Questions with the Minister for Transport the need to allocate significant funding to Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for their Road Works Programme for 2022.”