Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has welcomed the allocation of more than €26.5 million for regional road projects as well as the repair of regional and local roads in the county.

€9.4 million will go towards general road improvements while €8 million has been approved for the new Shannon River crossing at Killaloe. 

Deputy Carey explained that these grants are in addition to Clare County Council’s expenditure on regional and local road this year.

 “Recent extreme weather events have had a major impact on the regional and local road network and this funding will see essential maintenance and improvements carried out.

“These events, combined with the extended period of reduced funding for road maintenance following the economic downturn, have left the road network much more vulnerable to damage.

“Fine Gael is determined to support the continued growth in our economy in the years to come by maintaining and renewing existing infrastructure. I know this funding will greatly assist in the repairs and ensure our road network in Clare is of the highest standard.

Overall funding for the national roads network will increase by about 16 per which should allow approximately 2,400kms of regional and local roads to be maintained and 2,150kms to be strengthened this year.

Some of the major allocations for Clare include €1.7 million for restoration maintenance; €896,500 for drainage works; €735,000 for community involvement scheme and €771,000 for bridge rehabilitation.