Ardee Bypass to Receive Funding Boost from €633 Million National Roads Investment
Ardee News and Sport – Ardee Bypass to Receive Funding Boost from €633 Million National Roads Investment
The long-awaited Ardee Bypass is set to benefit from the Department of Transport’s latest funding allocation, which will see €633 million invested in national roads across the country. The funding, announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, will support the protection and renewal of existing national roads, as well as progress major new road projects.
The investment package includes €502 million in Exchequer Capital funds for National Roads, administered through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), along with an additional €98 million provided under Public Private Partnerships. A further €33 million has been allocated to local authorities for the regular maintenance of national roads.
This represents a €92 million increase on the funding provided in 2024 and is part of the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to increase investment in national roads throughout the remainder of the decade.
Major National Road Projects
The funding will be distributed by TII to achieve several key objectives, including:
- Protection and renewal of the existing national road network
- Progressing major new road projects that are in or near construction
- Advancing major new road projects currently in the development pipeline
Among the projects benefiting from the funding are the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge, the Adare Bypass, and the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy. The N52 Ardee Bypass is also included in the list of newly funded national road projects, marking a significant step forward for the long-anticipated infrastructure improvement in Co. Louth.
Ministerial Statements
Speaking on the announcement, Minister Darragh O’Brien emphasized the government’s commitment to improving national road infrastructure:
“Funding new roads and advancing the national road projects in the current NDP is a priority for this government. The allocations I’m announcing today will enable multiple new road projects on the national road network to progress, including those that are at or close to construction. This will improve regional connectivity, support economic development, and remove traffic from towns and communities across the country – making the roads safer for all users.”
Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Seán Canney, highlighted the importance of safeguarding existing roads:
“There has been a great deal of investment in the national road network in recent decades. This has helped to improve regional connectivity and has supported economic development across the country. Today’s allocations build on this. Our first priority should be to safeguard our existing national roads to ensure that they are in a safe and robust condition for all road users, including freight traffic.”
Minister of State for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, also underscored the significance of national roads in connecting rural communities:
“As Minister with responsibility for Rural Transport, I appreciate the important role played by the national road network in ensuring that all parts of Ireland are connected to each other. A safe and efficient National Road Network supports rural residents, allowing them to connect to work, education, and healthcare.”
The Future of the Ardee Bypass
The inclusion of the N52 Ardee Bypass in this latest round of funding marks a positive development for the project, which has long been called for by local representatives and residents. The bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion in Ardee, enhance road safety, and contribute to economic growth in the region.
As national road funding continues to increase under the NDP, further developments on the Ardee Bypass and other key infrastructure projects are expected to follow in the coming years.
Other new national roads projects funded include:
N25 Midleton to Youghal (Castlemartyr and Killeagh Bypasses)
N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge
Adare Bypass
M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy
N52 Ardee Bypass
N6 Galway City Ring Road
Donegal TEN-T Route Improvement
N2 Slane Bypass
N3 Virginia Bypass
N/M20 Cork to Limerick
N2 Clontibret to the Border
N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction (including Tipperary Bypass)
N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod
N21 Newcastle West Relief Road
N21 Abbeyfeale Relief Road
N22 Farranfore to Killarney
N72/73 Mallow Relief Road
N58 Foxford Bypass
N4 Mullingar to Longford
N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare
N17 Knock to Collooney
