TRANSPORT MINISTER SHANE Ross has announced that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has approved the progression of four safety improvement road projects.

The roads in question are the N70 Kilderry Bends, the N56 Coolboy to Kilmacrennan, the N2 Monaghan to Emyvale and the N61 Coolteige.

Ross welcomed the news today, saying: “I am absolutely committed to enhancing road safety and introducing every possible measure to reduce fatalities on our roads.

“These projects will provide a range of safety improvements and significant positive environmental benefits. They will also reduce overall journey times which will have a positive impact across the country.”

The four projects were selected according to the benefits in terms of safety and the state of preparedness of the roads.

The Department of Transport said the cost of construction will be “substantially met by the savings arising out of TII’s successful appeal on the toll VAT issue”. Total construction cost for all four schemes is expected to be in the region of €30 to €35 million.

Here are details of the projects:

N70 Kilderry Bends

The proposed scheme entails a realignment of approximately 3.5km of the N70 in County Kerry, commencing on the existing N70 in Kilcolman townland, west of Milltown, and terminating on the existing N70 in Tinnahally townland, approximately 2km northwest of Killorglin.

This segment of the N70 is to be improved by a realignment which will remove substandard bends thereby improving sight distance, increasing efficiency of traffic movements and improving overall road safety.

This particular section of the N70 has a poor accident record.

N56 Coolboy to Kilmacrennan 

The proposed N56 Coolboy Kilmacrennan scheme is located approximately 5km north of Letterkenny in Donegal and is a continuation of the N56 Mountaintop to Illistrin project completed in 2009.

The 3.15km long improvement scheme will involve the widening and realignment of the existing route and the provision a cycleway.

N2 Monaghan to Emyvale (Phase 3)

The existing N2 between Monaghan and Emyvale has been the subject of phased improvement works to improve the poor horizontal and vertical alignment.

The proposed scheme is 3.4km long and extends northwards from the townland of Corracrin to Cornacreeve on the outskirts of Emyvale.

The changes are expected to improve road safety, reduce traffic accidents and improve the quality of travel on the Dublin to Derry national primary route.

N61 Coolteige

The location of the proposed scheme is on the N61, immediately north of Roscommon town. The proposed road development is 2.5km in length.

Sight distances at junctions on this route are restricted and there are no overtaking opportunities.

The accident rate on this section of national road is twice the national average. Following the changes, it is anticipated that over 90% of traffic will divert onto the realigned route, resulting in significant positive environmental benefits for existing dwellings and improved road safety for all users.

Read: Remains found in France confirmed to be Seamus Ruddy

Read: ‘These people are scumbags’: Attack on elderly couple raised in the Dáil