The city of Dublin in Ireland is set to receive a funding of €32.5m for almost 200 sustainable transport projects.

The funding will come from the National Transport Authority, and was announced by the Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar and Irish Minster of State for Commuter Transport Alan Kelly.

Key projects to be taken up in the Greater Dublin area include: the complete construction of Rosie Hackett Bridge over the Liffey connecting Marlborough Street to Hawkins Street; and the removal of QBC pinch point at Cat & Cage on Drumcondra Road to make room for bus lanes.

"This funding will significantly improve the transport experience for cyclists."

A pedestrian and cycle bridge will also be constructed at Dodder Valley on significant new Tallaght to Ballyboden route.

The funding will be provided for 193 projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction in the four Dublin local authorities, and in Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.

The government has put a special emphasis on cycling, with seven separate cycle routes in the plan, some starting from scratch and others being extended.

Nearly €30m has been allocated to projects related to cycling or with a cycling component, such as new parking facilities or cycle access routes, including €600,000 to extend the Dublin Bikes scheme.

Minister Varadkar said: "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."

Minister Kelly said: "This funding will significantly improve the transport experience for cyclists, walkers and public transport users alike.

"Cycling has taken off hugely in Dublin with a growth of over 40% in cycling numbers in Dublin City centre since 2009. We look forward to bringing more investment into the city’s infrastructure in the coming years."