Funding for road projects in Mayo falls sharply after N5 completion
The completion of the N5 project has led to a dramatic fall-off in funding for Mayo.
Mayo’s national road allocation has been cut by over half following the completion of the N5 dual carriageway project, a Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) has heard.
The national road allocation for the county in 2023 was €65 million, with much of that funding going towards the completion of the N5 dual carriageway from Turlough to Westport. With the N5 now open, the allocation has been reduced to €29 million.
Head of Roads with Mayo County Council Paul Dolan said there is still good news with regard to the projects that have been allocated funding this year.
“The story isn’t good on a global scale. We’re now back at an allocation similar to before the N5 project - in 2018, we had €35 million. Some €5 million of this year’s allocation is going towards greenways so the allocation towards national roads would be closer to €24 million,” said Mr Dolan.
“There is still good news in this. We never could have expected to have similar allocations to what we had when the N5 was ongoing, and this included the N17 at Lisduff and Cloongullane Bridge as well," he added.
Among the projects that have been allocated funding is the N60 Heathlawn scheme on the Balla-Claremorris, which has been allocated €5.6 million. This was greatly welcomed by Cllr Cyril Burke.
“It is understandable that we wouldn’t have the same funding without the capital projects," he said. "I welcome the large funding allocation for Heathlawn and the mid-summer provisional opening for that.”
However, Cllr Burke expressed concern that the improved road could lead to increased speeds along the N60, which would in turn lead to further problems at the Ardboley junction just outside Balla village.
Mr Dolan said the issue of the Ardboley junction would be dealt with through the Pollavaddy to Balla Active Travel Scheme, although there was no timeframe for the completion of this scheme.
“Ardboley will progress and we’re making progress on a preferred route for this scheme with another public consultation in April.”
