Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the preparation of tender documents for the N53 project in County Louth; the timeline for the upgrade works to be completed; if funding is being made available by TII for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27981/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. I know that this project is of interest to him and the matter of good transport connectivity in the border area is an important one.

Approximately €411m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2024. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TII on the 22nd of February 2024. As part of these allocations, the N53 upgrade received €500,000 for 2024. Other projects in the region which have been allocated funding in 2024 include the N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme in County Monaghan and the Ardee Bypass in Louth.

The N53 is an important road for the border region, connecting the N2 at Castleblayney with Dundalk. It exists in two sections, as a central section crosses into South Armagh where it is classified as the A37. The road has been the subject of phased improvements under TII’s minor improvements programme over the last number of years. Two improvement schemes have been completed to date, namely Newtownbalregan to Barronstown and the N53 Barronstown to Hackballscross. TII are currently funding the Hackballscross to Rassan scheme. The project is currently at the enabling and procurement phase, and will involve the realignment of approximately 3.4km of the N53 between Hackballscross and Rassan.

Site clearance has been completed and archaeological resolution works commenced in May. The preparation of tender documents for the main construction contract is ongoing; progression to tender stage will be subject to TII approval which will have regard to the overall funding available at that time.

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.