Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Transport the completed projects within Kildare that were proposed under the last national development plan by his Department; the number under construction; the number that have rolled over to the new NDP; the other new proposals that are planned for Kildare under the new NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4296/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan (NDP) 2000 to 2006 concentrated on the provision of significant upgrading on the major interurban routes throughout the country. I understand from the NRA that three of these routes run through County Kildare, namely the M/N4 (Dublin to Galway), the N7 (Dublin to Limerick) and the N9 (Dublin to Waterford). Substantial works were completed on all of these routes during the period 2000 to 2006.

The projects completed within Kildare during the period of the NDP 2000 to 2006 were as follows:

M/N4 Enfield Relief Road in 2002

Celbridge Interchange in 2003

Kilcock/Enfield/Kinnegad in 2005

M/N7 Kildare Bypass in 2003

Monasterevin Bypass in 2004

Kingswood Interchange in 2005

Naas Road Upgrade in 2006

N9 Carlow bypass began construction in 2006 and is due for completion in 2008

Further works to increase the capacity of the M/N4 between Leixlip and its junction with the M50 are planned under the new National Development Plan. This work is expected to commence in 2007 and take two years to complete. The N9 from Kilcullen to Carlow is due to commence in 2008 and be completed in 2010.

Rail

There has been major investment in the two railway lines — Connolly to Maynooth (the Maynooth line) and Heuston to Kildare (the Kildare line) — serving Kildare under the NDP (2000-2006). Major projects completed include the doubling of track between Maynooth and Clonsilla including resignalling of the line, upgrading of stations and crossings and the provision of additional rolling stock at a cost of over €65 million. Upgrading of rolling stock and stations on the Kildare line and the redevelopment of the Heuston station were also undertaken at a cost of €106.8 million.

The position regarding further upgrade works is that preparatory and enabling works for the Kildare Route Project are underway. It is planned to place construction contracts in April 2007 and to have construction work completed and services operational in early 2010. My Department has allocated €45.4m to Iarnród Éireann to fund work on the project this year. Planning and design work is also underway in relation to the electrification of the Maynooth line.