Virginia Bypass still on NDP

The N3 Virginia Bypass retains a place on the National Development Plan as the government prepare to make their financial commitment to large capital projects for the next decade.

This NDP has been described as “the largest public capital investment programme in the history of the State in relation to transport and housing. It will be formally launched in Pairc Ui Chaoimh this afternoon.

This morning the Cabinet signed off on the NDP, subtitled Project Ireland 2040, with a commitment of €165 on capital project expenditure. Earlier today Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, flagged that there is no guaranteed every road project in the NDP will go ahead and suggested each will “be assessed on their merits”.

Today's Cabinet meeting is to take place in Cork. The NDP will commit €35bn on transport spending up to 2030.

It is anticipated this includes €12bn for public transport, €6bn on roads, €4bn on walking and cycling infrastructure and €13bn on maintenance. Images from the plan shared on social media shows that the N3 Virginia Bypass is still in contention for funding as is the N2 Ardee t o South of Castleblaney, the N2 Clontibret to the Border, the N2 Slane Bypass, the N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon, the N3 Clonee to M50 and the M4 Mullingar to Longford.

Aside from road water services will see significatn investment. The plan sets €4.5bn aside for water improvements projects to be undertaken up to 2025. A further €68m is pledged to replace lead pipes in rural areas.

Solving Dublin's water supply difficulties has been addressed with a €1bn commitment to install a pipe connecting the Parteen Basin of the River Shannon in Tipperary to Peamount in Dublin by 2030.