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The Government has approved new Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding in excess of €1 billion for the building of almost 200km new national roads.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has instructed the NRA to proceed with raising the private finance for the construction of two sections of the N20; a 43km section of the N11 between Gorey and Enniscorthy; and a 52km stretch of the N17 between Galway and Claremorris.
A PPP will see a contractor paid an annual fee to design, build and operate the road for 30 years.
A spokesman for the NRA explained the benefits of a PPP, he said: "The costs are with the vendor and the State does not have liabilities assurance.
"And you are freeing current revenue for other projects," he said.
It is hoped work will begin in 2010 and significantly improve the Atlantic road corridor linking Donegal to Cork, via Galway and Limerick.
The project is provided for as part of the Transport 21 infrastructure plan, a comprehensive development programme for the network of national roads over the period 2006 to 2015. It is expected to complete by 2013.
(VB/JM)
