Housing minister turns the sod on Mount Avenue link road in Dundalk

Louth County Council welcomed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien to officially turn the sod for the €11 million Mount Avenue Link Road Scheme in Dundalk, a milestone in upgrading the western road network in the town. 

The construction contract is valued in excess of €11 million and will involve the building of a new road from Lis na Dara, on the Carrick Road, to the Mount Avenue Road, known locally as the “Back of the wall”.

The new road will join the existing Mount Avenue Road north-west of the ESB Substation. From that point, the Mount Avenue Road will be widened and upgraded to Castletown Cross on the Castleblayney Road.

The project is set to open up the wider Mount Avenue residential zoned lands for new housing,  and initially will facilitate the development of 194 private units by Urban Life and 93 social housing units to be provided by Louth County Council in conjunction with the Department of Housing. 

The completion of the scheme will see a total of 234 units delivered by 2025, 51 of which are cost reduced by agreement, with 93 social houses projected for 2024.

The total estimated cost of the roads scheme is €11,100,000 of which the land cost is €2,185,000 and €700,000 attributable to Irish Water.

Speaking at the event today Minister O’Brien said:

“I’m delighted to turn the sod on this important piece of infrastructure for Dundalk, and I’m proud that the Government’s Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) has helped the project to happen.

"LIHAF is about relieving infrastructure blockages and unlocking the potential for large scale housing projects – supporting Housing for All as it ramps up the supply of new homes across the country. 

Mount Avenue Road is a perfect example of this fund in action. The money we are investing here through LIHAF will support the initial development of over 200 homes – social, affordable and private – with the potential for more than 1,000 more on the wider lands.” 

Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin added that she was delighted that the works at Mount Avenue are commencing. 

“The cost of the works and land acquisition will be provided by Louth County Council and the Department of Housing under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF).  The works will open up lands for much needed housing development and will improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.”

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council,  Councillor Conor Keelan said:

“On behalf of Louth County Council, we are delighted to welcome Minister O’Brien here today to turn the sod on what has been a strategic objective of Louth County Council for many years.  This significant investment will breathe new life into a part of Dundalk that will in the coming years become home to many new families.”

The work is being carried out on behalf of Louth County Council by  Contractors Gibson Ireland JV.

John Gibson, Gibsons Brothers Ireland JV, said:

“We are delighted to be working in conjunction with Louth County Council to deliver this new and upgraded link road at Mount Avenue, Dundalk. We are looking forward to being part of the team for this prestigious and important project and wish thank the local residents in advance for their cooperation and understanding during the construction period.”

During his visit to Dundalk, Minister Darragh O’Brien also visited Patrick Tierney Crescent and Aisling Crescent to unveil a commemorative plaque.

The 22 new A-Rated energy efficient residential homes in Patrick Tierney Crescent and Aisling Crescent were delivered by Louth County Council – Housing Capital section - under the Government’s ‘Housing For All’ Plan.  The scheme, which consists of eight houses and 14 apartments, has been shortlisted as a ‘Project of the Year’ finalist in the Residential - Social and Affordable Housing (up to €5million) category. 

Minister O’Brien’s final engagement included a visit to Dúiche Roden,  the Cluid Housing Development adjacent to Ice House Hill.  The scheme is being built in three phases, and when complete will provide secure, high-quality homes for 133 families on Louth County Council’s housing list.