The reviewed budget has slashed millions from proposed roads projects across the Republic, it has been announced.

Despite €1bn being spent on improving public transport with a further €2bn set aside for national, regional and local roads, €15m has been wiped-off expenditure in national roads maintenance and public transport service payments to CIE, the Department of Transport said.

There will also be a €150m reduction in the capital provision for regional and local roads, meaning overall expenditure allocation for regional and local roads will now be €448m (€332m capital and €126m current).

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Revised grant allocations will be issued to local authorities in the coming days.

The department said the budget adjustment will result in an "unavoidable reduction in the overall level of road improvement and renewal work in 2009".

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said: "This budget has been an enormous challenge for the government and has been difficult for the public.

"However, this government’s commitment to radically improve the transport system in Ireland remains unchanged. This is reflected in the substantial provision of €3.1bn which is being retained in such difficult circumstances."

Adequate funding is being provided to ensure the completion on schedule of the road links between Dublin and the main regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

According to the department, these major interurban routes are on time and on budget for completion by end 2010.

The NRA expects that eight major projects, totalling 156 km of dual carriageway road, will open to traffic this year.

(PR/KMcA)