Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan and Newcastle West based Councillor Damien Riedy have this morning welcomed the announcement that funding has been approved for the N21 Barnagh Realignment ( Phase 2 ) outside of Newcastle West. The scheme involves a 1.5km realignment of the N21 from Killarney Pole to Barnagh southwest of Newcastle West. The scheme will tie into a 2km recently improved section and is the only road in Limerick to be approved in this round of investment.
The funding for this project is part of the €43 million stimulus for roads which was announced by the Government last week. This phase of the Barnagh Project will be delivered over the course of 2014 and 2015.
Local TD Patrick O’Donovan thanked Transport Minister Leo Varadkar for prioritising the work. “I met with the Minister and the NRA on several occasions in relation to the completion of these works over the last few months and impressed upon him the need to finish the work. He was well aware of the road as he travels it regularly so I was delighted to see today that he has stood by his commitment to the area.”
In welcoming the funding Councillor Damien Riedy said that “when I became a councillor three years ago, the Barnagh Phase 1 project was the First major road safety project carried out in Limerick for a number of years. As the local councillor in the area and as I live near the road, I can see first-hand the major difference these works have made on this section of roadway.
“Following the completion of Phase 1 it was disappointing that due to a lack of funds, the project could not be completed in its entirety and this is something that I have campaigned on over the last number of years. Barnagh Phase 2 has always been a priority for me to get this funding to have the project completed and has been raised by me a numerous local area and County Council meeting over the last number of years.”
“This road is the main artery from Limerick to Kerry with up on 18,000 vehicles using the road on a daily basis. I am delighted that the Department of Transport have taken on board the concerns of the local councillors like myself the monies had to be prioritised in order to complete this project.”
I would like to thank all the interested bodies like Limerick County Council and the Local residents who have been involved in this project. The works are expected to take place during 2014 and 2015 and will be carried out under the supervision of Limerick City and County Council.