Galway East Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt, has expressed his disappointment at the continued delay in the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam road improvement scheme.

Responding to news that the construction period of the scheme is estimated to be approximately 3.5 years, Deputy Kitt has said: "This is all the more disappointing when you take into consideration that the contract could be signed next year. The National Roads Authority (NRA) has been advised by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that additional funding is being provided to progress the scheme to contract award.

-- Advertisement --

"This will enable the NRA to progress talks with the preferred bidder under the public private partnership programme. It doesn't make sense, therefore, that the estimated completion date is not until 2018. There is a clear need for the NRA to provide more clarity on the timescale involved.

"I would welcome a statement from the NRA to this effect, as well as an indication that there is a firm commitment to this project. The works really need to be completed in a shorter time period than 3.5 years down the road. The Joint Committee on Transport is to meet with the CEO of the NRA today (Wednesday), to review the National Roads Programme."

(CD/JP)