Probe ordered into Glen of Downs bill
An independent inquiry was ordered today into the escalation in price of a major road-building project in Co Wicklow.
Transport Minister Seamus Brennan announced the independent assessment of the Glen of the Downs project after it emerged its final cost of €85m dwarfed the original estimated tender price of €49.2m.
The increased price was attributed to a delayed start, very difficult site conditions, the relocation of utilities, an additional median barrier and accommodation works.
Mr Brennan said it was important taxpayers received value for money.
“I want to stress that contrary to the public perception the majority of the 17 projects currently underway are on schedule or ahead of time, and are generally within budget,” he said.
“We are building and delivering motorways and dual carriageways on a scale never before envisaged.
“The Glen of the Downs scheme was the exception rather than the rule and I accept that there were considerable environmental, construction and other difficulties associated with the scheme.
“However, because of the substantial cost escalation involved, I have authorised the independent review so that we can use the findings to identify the reasons for the extra costs, learn lessons from what happened and avoid this happening on any other major projects.”
Mr Brennan made the announcement at the opening of the Kilmacanogue to Glen of the Downs dual carriageway section of the main Dublin to Wexford route.
The new road, which is expected to carry 30,000 vehicles each day, completed a missing link on the N11 by connecting the existing continuous motorway/dual carriageway from Dublin to the Newtownmountkennedy by-pass in Wicklow.
The completion of this section means motorists can now travel on 35km of continuous motorway/dual carriageway from Donnybrook, South Dublin to the end of the Newtownmountkennedy by-pass.
Minister Brennan said the consultant appointed to undertake the review of the Glen of the Downs project would begin work shortly when negotiations between Wicklow County Council and the contractor in relation to the final cost of the scheme were substantially completed.
Mr Brennan said the growing trend was towards the completion of major stretches of motorway and dual carriageway well ahead of schedule.
He said the Kildare by-pass came in almost five months ahead, while the N8 Cashel by-pass and the N11 Ashford-Rathnew by-bass are also ahead of target delivery time.
The minister paid tribute to the National Roads Authority and Wicklow County Council for the sensitivity shown when constructing a road at a unique environmental location in the Glen of the Downs.
Six thousand oak trees have been propagated from acorns collected in the Glen and so far 600 of these have been planted in the area to replace the 150 mature trees which had to be removed.
