Funding of €35m for Meath roads

Funding of €35m has been announced this week for local, regional and national roads in Meath. This includes €26.8m for local and regional road announced by the Department of Transport with a further €8.8m for national roads from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

TII funding of €8.8m for national roads projects includes €900,000 towards the construction of new roads with €400,000 allocated to the N2 Slane Bypass and Public Realm Enhancement Scheme and €500,000 towards the N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross.

The bulk of funding for national roads- €7.3m- falls under the heading of capital investment, protection and renewal with €2m for the N52 Grange to Clontail scheme, €1.4m for N2 Glassallen to County Boundary Pavement and €1.3m for N51 Dunmoe Phase 2.

A sum of €583,744 is for current maintenance, protection and renewal which includes ordinary maintenance, winter maintenance and route lighting.

Funding of €26.8m has been allocated for local and regional roads with €25,637,000 for Protection and Renewal Grants including: Restoration improvement €14.6m; Restoration maintenance €1.8m ; Supplementary restoration maintenance €1.6m; Discretionary grant €3.6m; Bridge rehabilition €742,000; Climate change adaptation and resilience works €540,000 ;Community Involvement Scheme €608,000; Safety Improvement Works €500,000; PSCI Survey Support €23,000; Training Grant €96,300; Drainage Works €612,500; Strategic Rehabilitation Regional Roads €750,000.

A further €1.2m is allocated for new roads/road improvement grants made up of €875,000 for Specific Improvement Grant which includes €500,000 for the R156 Mullagh Cross Scheme. Funding of €350,000 underStrategic Regional and Local Roads is allocated for the Julianstown Bypass.

The Meath funding is part of an overall €1.6 billion announcement byMinister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State with Responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney and Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer for national, regional and local roads in 2026. This represents a 13 per cent increase in road funding over 2025.

Minister O'Brien said:“Advancing the new national road projects in the current National Development Plan and the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport is a priority for this government, along with the protection and renewal of the existing national, regional and local road network. Government is committed to assisting affected local authorities with financial support to assist with the aftermath of Storm Chandra.

"My Department is liaising with affected counties, who are continuing to compile and assess damage on the ground to enable proper estimation of the total damage caused and the estimated cost of remediation.

“The allocations will enable multiple major new road projects on the national road network to progress, including those that are at or are close to construction. This will enable greater connectivity across our country, support economic development, and deliver safer roads and less congested towns and communities.

“A new two-year work programme under the Community Involvement Scheme for regional and local roads is starting this year with €16.2 million being allocated to the scheme in 2026. This is an increase of €1.4 million in funding from last year, upholding the Programme for Government commitment to increase funding for the Community Involvement Scheme.”

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney added: “As Minister with responsibility for Rural Transport, I recognise the critical role played by the regional and local road network in ensuring that all parts of Ireland are connected. A safe and efficient road network enables those living in rural communities to connect to work, education and healthcare. In addition, it also facilitates the improved bus services that operate across rural Ireland. The funding announced today will help to protect and enhance this vital national asset for all our citizens.

“The allocation of €718 million for regional and local roads will strengthen and support towns, villages and communities right across the country. It’s an investment that will improve connectivity, help local businesses thrive, and make everyday journeys to school, work and community activities safer and more convenient for families.”