Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The port access northern cross route in my home of Drogheda has been planned since 2006. Funding applications were refused by successive Governments right up to 2022, when phase 1 was funded by Louth County Council, Housing Infrastructure Services and developers. Phase 2 is about to commence and is to be funded by Louth County Council through development levies. Phase 3, the crucial section that crosses the Dublin to Belfast railway line, is flagged as a strategic priority for Louth County Council in terms of road infrastructure with the Department of Transport. It needs to be funded by central government. The Departments of Transport and the Housing, Local Government and Heritage have both refused to fund this road to deliver homes to 5,000 people by means of schemes that delivered roads and homes elsewhere in the country. A meeting is to take place next Monday with the Department of Transport regarding funding of the final phase, the crucial piece that will open up the area entirely. Will the Government, after 19 years, finally commit to funding the final phase and the completion of the port access northern cross route or will Drogheda become the biggest cul-de-sac in the State for years to come?

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