Over €25 million has been announced for investment into the road network in Laois during 2025.
“Ongoing investment in the improvement and maintenance of our transportation network is a critical enabler to provide opportunities for economic growth, tourism enhanced quality of llife, and general road safety,” the Council said.
There is approximately 2500km of public road network in the county, divided as follows:
- 80% (2000km) Local Roads,
- 15% (375km) Regional Roads,
- 4% (100km) National Secondary Roads,
- 1% (25km) Motorway.
The principal source of funding is from the Department of Transport, who have approved almost €14.5 million for Laois for the year.
This funding will be focused on the following:
- Road restoration improvement and maintenance,
- Bridge rehabilitation,
- Safety improvement works,
- Road drainage,
- Climate change resilience works,
- Climate change adaptation works.
The announcement came at the March monthly meeting of Laois County Council, where several Councillors welcomed the investment.
However, there was also criticism from Independent Councillor Ben Brennan, who felt the €14.5 million figure was disproportionately low compared to other counties.
The sum is just 2% of the Department of Transport’s total national investment of almost €714 million.
€5.5 million will be directly invested by Laois County Council, as outlined in their Revenue Budget for 2025.
The funds cover various service support costs, including:
- Salaries,
- Insurance,
- Public lighting,
- Utility charges,
- School wardens,
- Discretionary funds,
- Road safety promotion,
- General road upkeep.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) have allocated €3.5 million in Active Travel Grants.
Projects will include Phase 2 of Triogue Way, Portlaoise, Station Road and Canal Road in Portarlington, a permeability scheme in Mountmellick, bus stop enhancement, and more.
The remaining funding is focused on local improvement schemes, public lighting and road safety.
This includes over €470,000 from the Department of Community and Rural Affairs, which has been divided amongst the three Municipal Districts based on the overall length of road in each area:
- €310,126 to Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick,
- €122,980 to Graiguecullen-Portarlington,
- €37,430 to Portlaoise.
