The funding package will allow approximately 3,100km of regional and local roads to be maintained and 2,550km to be strengthened.
Minister for transport Eamon Ryan said: “We are providing funding for a range of schemes from larger strategic road improvements to smaller scale road improvements and critical bridge rehabilitation works.”
Provision of US$47 million has been made available this year for regional and local road strategic road improvement projects, including the Tralee Northern Relief Road, Athy Southern Distributor Road, Killaloe bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme.
Funding of US$28 million is also being provided for smaller road improvements. These grants comprise a mix of schemes, including bridgeworks, measures to improve safety and schemes to alleviate traffic congestion and improve access to centres of education, businesses and public transport. Projects include the Edenderry Relief Road in County Offaly and rehabilitation of Rice Bridge in Waterford City.