Key projects that can now be completed include the Rosie Hackett Bridge for public transport over the Liffey, removing a ‘pinch point’ and a new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Dodder Valley in Tallaght.
The funding has been allocated for 193 projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction in the four Dublin local authorities areas, and in Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. There is a special emphasis on cycling this year with 47 separate cycle routes in the plan, some starting from scratch and others being extended. More than €30 million of the total funding is allocated to projects devoted to cycling or with a cycling component, like new parking facilities or cycle access routes, including €600,000 to extend the Dublin Bikes scheme.
“Dublin and the surrounding counties have really taken to cycling. From the Government’s point of view it makes sense to invest in cycling because it’s effective, it’s healthy and it’s also extremely efficient,” said transport minister Leo Varadkar. “The single best way to tackle traffic congestion is to support people who get out of their cars and on to bikes, buses, or other alternatives. It also makes the city a nicer place to live, to work and to visit, whether as residents or tourists. Growing numbers of people are cycling to work in Dublin city centre. Many of these schemes will make it easier for commuters to cycle in to work from further afield.”
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