Skip to main content

Ireland's budgert cuts impact on road projects

Ireland’s government is undergoing a period of belt-tightening, with a string of budget cuts that will directly impact on the transport sector. The country was in the process of spending heavily on its infrastructure but with the tough economic climate it is now facing, a number of road projects are among those facing the axe. The Irish government is slashing its infrastructure spending from €39.6 billion to €22.9 billion between now and 2013. This looks likely to result in 40 road projects, including hig
May 14, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSIreland’s government is undergoing a period of belt-tightening, with a string of budget cuts that will directly impact on the transport sector.

The country was in the process of spending heavily on its infrastructure but with the tough economic climate it is now facing, a number of road projects are among those facing the axe.

The Irish government is slashing its infrastructure spending from €39.6 billion to €22.9 billion between now and 2013. This looks likely to result in 40 road projects, including highways and dual carriageways, being shelved or cancelled.

Ireland’s 5525 National Roads Authority (NRA) has been told not to build previously planned rest areas along highways, with the
Atlantic Corridor Road linking Letterkenny and Waterford one of only a few projects that will remain in hand.
However, the NRA is planning the M20 motorway that will link the cities of Limerick and Cork.

Planning permission is being sought at present for the 80km road, which will be built in two phases: the first stage will run for around 40km from Kileens to Velvetstown while the second phase runs from Buttevant to Attyfield.

The project is expected to cost €800 million and the NRA hopes to begin construction of the first phase of the road in 2012, assuming that approval and funding can be secured.

Work on the second stage would start after the completion of the first phase in 2015, with the project planned for a completion date in 2018. However, with Ireland’s slow down on its infrastructure investment at present following the financial crisis it is not clear if the M20 project will be delayed.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Waskita Karya seeks loan for Pejagan-Pemalang toll road on Java
    January 12, 2015
    Indonesian state-owned construction firm Waskita Karya will seek a bank loan of US$338 million for its work on the Pejagan-Pemalang toll project in central Java island. The project is being managed by Pejagan Pemalang Toll Road, a subsidiary of Waskita Karya. Waskita company secretary Antonius Yulianto Nugroho said the firm has enough cash resources to cover a quarter of its financial commitment on the project and is targeting bank loans to cover the other 75%. Waskita Karya plans to carry out a bond
  • East Africa drives towards road tolling
    March 18, 2016
    Road tolling is increasing in East Africa as the region’s countries expand highway networks - Shem Oirere writes. The drive towards road tolling in East Africa is gaining momentum. Uganda appears to have broken ranks with its neighbours to make huge strides in achieving progress with this innovative road financing plan. Road tolling has hitherto has been held back in East Africa for lack of political goodwill and State bureaucracies. Kenyan government officials have made announcements on planned road tollin
  • Golden opportunities in the MINT - Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey
    May 21, 2015
    Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey – Global Report offers up some food for thought about where smart money might be headed within the next several years – David Arminas writes China’s rate of growth may be slowing down, but other South East Asian companies are being quick to offer alternate investment opportunities, notably Indonesia. Nigeria, too, has had issues with security of investment. But there are signs that the government may be getting serious at last about tightening up rules and regulation
  • $151 million upgrades for Nigeria’s Delta State
    August 1, 2025
    A budget of $151 million has been set for infrastructure upgrades in Nigeria’s Delta State.