6.3 Programme C - Road Networks & Road Safety

6.3 Programme C - Road Networks & Road Safety

High Level Goal: To deliver an accessible, efficient, safe and sustainable Road networks system that supports communities, households, and businesses.

Figure from page 24

Road Networks & Road Safety Indicative Annual Allocations

Programme Area C- Road Networks & Road Safety*
2026	2027	2028	2029	2030
€1.6bn	€1.6bn	€1.7bn	€2.1bn	€2.7bn

*All funding is indicative and subject to annual Estimates process; rounding may affect totals.

Investment Strategies

Roads Network Investment in Ireland’s national road network is a cornerstone of the Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, which aims to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. This is further recognised in a number of priority actions in the Phase 2 Action 2025-2027 under the Strategy, approved by Government earlier in 2025.

National Roads 2040 (NR2040) is a long-term investment framework for the maintenance, development, and management of Ireland’s National Roads network. This aims to enable the delivery of Project Ireland 2040 (National Planning Framework), support the realisation of several National Strategic Outcomes and align with NIFTI and government policy.

Investment in the Regional and Local Roads Programme is guided by the TAF, and the Department works in collaboration with local authorities to deliver the programme.

Decarbonising Transport Strategies for the decarbonisation of road transport are set out in the Climate Action Plan, which sets a target of 30% of the private car fleet being electric by 2030. The 2025 interim target of 195,000 EVs on the road has been met. In accordance with this strategy, funding is provided to bridge the purchase price gap between ICEs and EVs and so incentivise the uptake of zero emission vehicles.

Funding is also provided to support the adoption of home charging and depot charging solutions, as these provide a low cost and convenient charging option for EV drivers and place the least demand on the constrained electricity grid.

ZEVI has also developed strategies for a planned roll out of national EV charging infrastructure, with plans for delivery at national road and at regional and local level. Investment in EV infrastructure is vital to ensuring consumer confidence and encouraging widespread adoption. Incentives for public charging infrastructure not only complement significant private sector investment but enable a just transition across the country. While private operators may invest in more commercially viable locations, government supports can ensure that rural, regional, and community areas are equally as accessible, to ensure a charging network that meets the needs of all citizens across Ireland.

HDV For heavy duty vehicles, targeted grants are essential to address both technological and cost barriers. HDVs contribute approximately 20% of transport emissions, and supporting their transition to zeroemission will be significant to achieving Ireland’s overall emissions goals. Maintaining schemes like the ZEHDV Grant, ZEHDV-I/P Grant, and the Fleet Assessment Grant, supports operator’s transition and the delivery of infrastructure required along key routes. ZEVI is developing a framework for the decarbonisation of the HDV fleet, in collaboration with industry, to demonstrate a pathway for the electrification of this more challenging sector.

Programme Summary

Our road network is approximately 102,000km in length. Of this, 5,300km consists of national roads and motorways, with the remainder forming the regional and local road network. Taken together, this network is a critical national asset, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the country. It facilitates business, education, tourism, healthcare, agriculture, and the provision of critical services and activities.

The NDP funding for roads is allocated by the Department and its agency TII to Local Authorities in line with the Department’s NIFTI intervention hierarchy of Maintain, Optimise, Improve, and New. This approach involves prioritising investment in the protection and renewal of existing assets before investing in new ones, on economic, safety, and environmental grounds.

Under Maintain, key road programmes are funded, including the funding of the protection and renewal of the national, regional, and local road network. This enables the maintenance of the road network to a safe standard, maintenance of motorway network, management of seasonal and climate impacts, and ensuring roads comply with the Pavement Condition Survey Indicator (PCSI) metrics.

In terms of Optimise, this NDP funding will support TII and Local Authorities in delivering additional Park and Ride facilities, the roll out of EV charging infrastructure to support the decarbonisation of the network, delivery of adaptation measures on our road network response to the climate emergency, and support the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems.

With regard to Improve, there will be targeted road safety improvements such as removing dangerous bends, junction improvements, and a focus on improved road signage and line markings. Upgraded strategic urban roads and bypasses will be delivered improving access to towns and the public realm space, while, in addition, bus priority measures will be developed on the road network. There will also be

continued investment in Active Travel improvements along both our national and regional road network, including wider footpaths and segregated cycleways. Upgraded strategic urban roads and bypasses will be delivered, improving access to towns and the public realm space, while, in addition, bus priority measures will be developed on the road network.

This NDP will see the construction of many new national and regional roads across the state, with many others commencing construction or being advanced through the planning and procurement process. This funding will allow TII and the Local Authorities to complete schemes such as the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy, N21/69 Limerick to Foynes (incl. Adare Bypass), and the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge projects, as well as commencing construction on schemes such as the Donegal TEN-T Project, the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction, and the Slane Bypass among others.

Furthermore, on the regional and local road networks, projects such as Coonagh Knockalisheen Distributor Road in Limerick, Eastern Garvoge Bridge and Approach Roads in Sligo and the Great Island Connectivity Scheme (R624 Cobh Road) will continue / commence construction. In addition, and as summarised in the Appendix, funding under the NDP will also ensure the continued development of a pipeline of projects for future construction.

Investment under the roads programme will also improve connections to Dublin Airport from the north and west, complementing improved public transport infrastructure and services to / from the airport.

The Programme for Government places strong emphasis on decarbonising transport as part of its climate commitments. As referenced earlier, ZEVI is a dedicated Office within the Department of Transport, charged with supporting consumers, the public sector, and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles. The Office plays a strategic role in supporting the NDP by accelerating Ireland’s transition to reducing emissions and leads on the delivery of Ireland’s ambitious targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 to have an expected 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.

The ‘Avoid, Shift, Improve’ approach presents a framework for structuring policy measures within ZEVI Climate Action in the Transport sector. As part of the ‘Improve’ element, electrification has a key role in decarbonising transport, accounting for nearly two thirds of transport mitigation measures under the Climate Action Plan. Electric vehicles have a lead role to play in transforming the Irish transport system into one that is clean, green, and sustainable. This improved system will support communities and economic growth as we move towards a net zero carbon future.

This NDP will see EV charging infrastructure deployed along our National Primary and Secondary roads, as well as the delivery of a public Regional and Local EV recharging network at destination and neighbourhood areas through Local Authorities to maximise electric mobility transition for all citizens, as well as supports for citizens and businesses to switch to electric vehicles .

Delivery Structures

National Road projects are delivered by TII as the day-to-day Approving Authority working in consultation with relevant local authorities as the Sponsoring Agencies. The Department sets policy and funds the roads programme while retaining oversight of TII. The Governance arrangements include quarterly Governance meetings, quarterly National Roads and Greenways Monitoring Group meetings, and regular ongoing communications between the Department, TII, and Local Authorities.

The Regional and Local Roads Programme has well-established governance and delivery structures, with the Department of Transport acting as the Approving Authority working in consultation with the road (local) authority sector as the Sponsoring Agencies. The Department is in regular contact with Local Authorities and conducts frequent operational meetings with Local Authority staff and engineers.

For decarbonisation of road transport, vehicle schemes are administered by the SEAI, TII, and the NTA, with the Department as Approving Authority. Infrastructure delivery is through the SEAI, Local Authorities, and TII, with the Department and TII acting as Approving Authorities. As part of a strategic realignment to enhance the delivery of Ireland’s sustainable transport objectives, infrastructure functions of the ZEVI office are transitioning to TII.

This move reflects the growing integration of EV policy with broader transport infrastructure planning and delivery. The transition aims to streamline the implementation of certain EV grants, recharging infrastructure, alternative fuels data, and public engagement initiatives, ensuring they are closely aligned with national transport strategies and infrastructure development.

The transition will also support more cohesive planning across urban and regional mobility, helping accelerate the shift to zero-emission transport in line with climate targets. Governance arrangements, vehicle grants, certain data functions, and some communications functions will remain in the Department, with Regional and Local plan related infrastructure work transferring to TII in 2026. New governance mechanisms are being established as part of the transition working groups key activities.

List of of Major National Roads Projects (>€200m) Scheduled to Commence Construction / Procurement by 2030 2

Project	Approving Authority	Sponsoring Agency	Current Stage of Project Lifecycle	Next Approval Gate	Procurement Timeline *	Construction Timeline	Successful Tenderer	Cost Range
Donegal TEN-T Project	TII	Donegal County Council	Project Design, Planning & Procurement Strategy	AG2	By 2027	Commence By 2028	Not yet awarded	€500m- €1bn
N2 Ardee to South of Castleblayney	TII	Monaghan County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2030	2030+	Not yet awarded	€250m- €500m
N2 Clontibret to the Border	TII	Monaghan County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	Commence By 2030	Not yet awarded	€250m- €500m
N2 Slane Bypass	TII	Meath County Council	Project Design, Planning & Procurement Strategy	AG2	By 2027	Commence By 2028	Not yet awarded	€100m- €250m
N3 Virginia Bypass	TII	Cavan County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2028	Commence By 2029	Not yet awarded	€250m- €500m
N4 Carrick on Shannon Bypass and Traffic Management Project	TII	Leitrim County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2027	Commence By 2028	Not yet awarded	€250m- €500m

Progression of all individual projects remains subject to compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines, statutory planning and procurement requirements, as relevant.

Project	Approving Authority	Sponsoring Agency	Current Stage of Project Lifecycle	Next Approval Gate	Procurement Timeline *	Construction Timeline	Successful Tenderer	Cost Range
M4 Maynooth to Leixlip	TII	Kildare County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	Commence By 2030	Not yet awarded	€100m- €250m
N4 Mullingar to Longford	TII	Westmeath County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2030	2030+	Not yet awarded	€500m- €1bn
N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge	TII	Roscommon County Council	Implementation	N/A	N/A	Completion by 2027	Wills Bros Ltd	€250m- €500m
N6 Galway City Ring Road	TII	Galway County Council	Project Design, Planning & Procurement Strategy	AG2	By 2028	Commence By 2029	Not yet awarded	€1bn+
N11/25 Oilgate to Rosslare	TII	Wexford County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	Commence By 2030	Not yet awarded	€250m- €500m
N17 Knock to Collooney	TII	Sligo County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	2030+	Not yet awarded	€500m- €1bn
N/M20 Cork to Limerick	TII	Limerick City and County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	2030+	Not yet awarded	€1bn+
N21 Abbeyfeale Relief Road	TII	Limerick City and County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	Commence By 2030	Not yet awarded	€100m- €250m
N21/69 Limerick to Foynes (inc Adare Bypass)	TII	Limerick City and County Council	Project Design, Planning & Procurement Strategy	AG2	By 2027	Adare Bypass element completion due in 2027	Not yet awarded	€500m- €1bn
N21 Newcastle West Relief Road	TII	Limerick City and County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2028	Commence by 2029	Not yet awarded	€100m- €250m
N22 Farranfore to Killarney	TII	Kerry County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	Commence by 2030	Not yet awarded	€250m- €500m
N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction	TII	Tipperary County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	2030+	Not yet awarded	€500m- €1bn
N25 Midleton to Youghal (Castlemartyr and Killeagh Bypasses)	TII	Cork County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	By 2029	Commence By 2030	Not yet awarded	€100m- €250m
M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy	TII	Cork County Council	Implementation	N/A	N/A	Completion By 2028	BAM Civil Ltd	€250m- €500m

List of Strategic Regional Road Projects Scheduled to Commence Construction by 2030 3

Project	Approving Authority	Sponsoring Agency	Current Stage of Project Lifecycle	Next Approval Gate	Procurement Timeline	Construction Timeline	Successful Tenderer	Cost Range
Athenry Relief Road, section 3 and 5	DoT	Galway County Council	Implementation	N/A	N/A	Completion due 2026	Tower Civil Engineering	€5m- €10m
Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road	DoT	Limerick City & County Council	Implementation	N/A	N/A	Completion due 2027	Roadbridge Ltd	€50m- €100m
Eastern Garavoge Bridge and Approach Roads	DoT	Sligo County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG2	N/A	Commence by 2026	RPS / Hewson	€20m- €50m
Great Island Connectivity Scheme (R624 Cobh Road)	DoT	Cork County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	Procurement by 2029	Commence by 2030	Not yet awarded	€100m- €250m
Killarney Strategic Links Project	DoT	Kerry County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	Procurement by 2026	Commence by 2027	Not yet awarded	€10m- €20m
R188 Rathkenny East West Road (Cavan)	DoT	Cavan County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	Procurement by 2028	Commence by 2029	Not yet awarded	€20m- €50m
R263 Fintra Bridge and Road Realignment	DoT	Donegal County Council	Implementation	N/A	N/A	Completion due 2026	BAM Civil Ltd	€10m- €20m
R498 Latteragh Upgrade	DoT	Tipperary County Council	Final Business Case	AG3	N/A	Commence by 2025	Wills Bros Ltd	€20m- €50m
Thurles Inner Relief Road	DoT	Tipperary County Council	Strategic Assessment & Preliminary Business Case	AG1	Procurement by 2026	Commence by 2027	Not yet awarded	€10m- €20m
Tralee Northern Relief Road	DoT	Kerry County Council	Implementation	N/A	N/A	Phase 1 completion due 2026	Alan O Connell Developments Limited & TBC	€20m- €50m