THE A5 road project could get a €465 million boost from the Irish government as part of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's plans to improve infrastructure.
According to reports, the Fine Gael leader wants to prioritise several large projects, including road access to the north-west and a metro for Dublin.
His plans to improve transport and cut taxes could cost around €5 billion, the Irish Independent reported.
The 55-mile A5 connects Derry with the border at Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, forming part of a cross-border link between Donegal, Derry and Dublin.
Plans to upgrade it have been split into several phases, with work on the Newbuildings to Strabane stretch due to start as early as November this year.
The Irish government's funding for the A5 has been set at €200m.
However, it is now thought it will give a further €465m to help upgrade the busy route.
Among the other main projects costed by Mr Varadkar are the long-postponed Dublin Metro, at around €2.5bn, and the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway, which will need up to €1bn in funding.
