Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Martin Heydon, has welcomed funding of €1.9m for Athy’s Southern Distributor Route in 2018 as part of Kildare’s allocation for Local and Regional Roads for 2018.

“The funding is part of an overall allocation of €29.5m towards the improvement and rehabilitation of Kildare’s local and regional roads.  €16.5m of this funding is dedicated to the important Sallins By-Pass and Osberstown interchange where work has started.

“Following the grant of planning permission for the Athy Ring Road last year and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s visit to Athy in November, the allocation of funding for the Athy Road is further proof of this Governments commitment to this vital project for Athy.  The funding of €1.9m will allow Kildare County Council progress with site works, preparation of contract documents and detailed design work in the coming months.

“The overall Kildare funding also includes provision for maintenance, improvement and restoration of local roads and bridges.  It is essential that our infrastructure is capable of meeting the demands of our expanding economy and the investment in Kildare’s large road network.