Sligo County Council has been notified of its 2022 funding allocations by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
TII Funding 2022
TII Funding Allocation 2022
The total funding allocation of €11,870,585 compares to a figure of €40,045,685 for 2021. However, included in last year’s figure was an amount of €29,750,000 for construction costs on the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Scheme and the N4-N15 Urban Improvement scheme. These two Schemes are now in the close out phase and therefore this is reflected in the funding for 2022.
The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Paul Taylor said
‘In the last number of years we have seen significant funding in County Sligo’s capital roads programme, and this investment confirms our status as a regional centre for growth. The TII allocation for 2022 represents another significant investment in Sligo, and will see the continued planning for major projects such as the N17 Knock to Collooney (AEC) Scheme.’
The Chair of Sligo County Council’s Strategic Policy Committee on Environment and Infrastructure Councillor Dónal Gilroy said
‘One welcome feature of the 2022 allocations is the increasing emphasis on Active Travel, and this funding will enable us to plan and deliver a number of important projects, including the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin and N4 Toberbride to Collooney. The delivery of a range of improvement schemes is also welcome, such as the Creevykeel to Bunduff Bridge scheme.’
Schemes funded under the 2022 allocation:
N16 Lugatober to Gortnagrelly €1,000,000
The N16 in County Sligo is substandard from Sligo City to the Leitrim Border. A Preferred Route for the N16 in County Sligo was selected in 2017. This will enable the N16 to be upgraded on a phased basis over a number of years. The first section to be upgraded is a 2.5km length in the vicinity of Lugatober. This scheme will realign several severe bends on the existing road and will tie-in with future realignments. Advance works are substantially completed. The 2022 funding allocation will allow us to complete the tender process to appoint a Contractor and with approval of TII, commence construction of the Scheme in late 2022.
N17 Knock to Collooney €1,000,000
It is planned to publish the preferred route in March/April and have further round of public consultation. That will be followed by more detailed design and environmental evaluation (Phase 3 of the TII PMG) process. A further staffing complement fully funded by TII and dedicated to the N17 Scheme will be in place early in 2022 to give greater impetus to the Project.
Pavement Improvements €3,710,000
The overall sum approved for Pavement Schemes for 2022 will see works programmed for the N15, N16 and the N59.
N15 Schemes € 1,500,000 (Creevykeel to Bunduff Bridge)
N16 Schemes € 210,000 (Lugatober)
N59 Schemes € 2,000,000 (Owenbeg to Culleens)
N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Active Travel €450,000
This proposed Active Travel route shall commence in Doorly Td. and head south-eastwards to Castlebaldwin Village. The footprint of the route will be selected as part of the Scheme Development, following the completion of an initial Feasibility Study. It is proposed that this Active Travel route will link to the newly constructed footway/cycleway facility which was constructed as part of the Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Project, from the N4/N17 Toberbride Roundabout to Doorly Td., and which is approximately 3.4km in length. Phase 0 (Scope and Pre-Appraisal) and Phase 1 (Concept and Feasibility) are almost completed and it is proposed to prepare tender documents in 2022 to appoint a Design Consultant in order to progress this project through Phases 2 to 4, which will include Option Selection, Design and Environmental Evaluation and the Statutory Process.
N4 Toberbride to Collooney Active Travel €350,000
This proposed Active Travel route shall commence east of the N4/N17 Toberbride Roundabout in Toberbride Business Park and head north westwards to Collooney Village. As part of the project, it is proposed to examine feasible options for the provision of a safe pedestrian crossing across the N4 Dual Carriageway to link Collooney Village, west of the N4 Dual Carriageway, with businesses, creche, graveyard, etc. on the east side of the Dual Carriageway. Again, it is proposed that this Active Travel route will link to the newly constructed footway/cycleway facility which was constructed as part of the Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Project from the N4/N17 Toberbride Roundabout to Doorly Td. Phase 0 (Scope and Pre Appraisal) and 1 (Concept and Feasibility) will be completed shortly and it is proposed to prepare tender documents in 2022 to appoint a Design Consultant in order to progress this project through Phases 2 to 4, which will include Option Selection, Design and Environmental Evaluation and the Statutory Process.
Greenways
Based on communication received in Q3 2021, TII have now assumed the role of “Approving Authority” under the Public Spending Code for Greenway Projects rather than the Department of Transport, with the exception of urban greenways which are being progressed by the NTA, and a small number of cross-border greenways that are being funded by INTERREG. In this communication the TII set out that it will apply and extend its project management, appraisal and delivery processes and procedures to provide efficient Greenway delivery, including leveraging the knowledge and expertise within the National Roads Offices. This process is currently in transition, but it is expected that the National Road Project Office will have some involvement going forward with at least the following Greenway Projects:
- Sligo Greenway – Collooney to Bellaghy – Advance Stages 2 to 4 of the TII PMG, to include Option Selection, Design and Environmental Evaluation and the Statutory Process.
- SLNCR Sligo to Enniskillen Greenway
Sligo Greenway – Bellaghy-Charlestown-Collooney €50,000
This project is currently being advanced by the Community and Enterprise Section of Sligo County Council. A Strategic Assessment Report was submitted to the DOT and is currently awaiting approval. Some other deliverables that would align with requirements of Phase 1 to 4 of the TII Project Management Guidelines are prepared in draft format. It is hoped to advance the Phase 1 to Phase 4 deliverables over the course of 2022 under the above allocation.