Dublin Port Tunnel to be completed this year

The Dublin Port Tunnel is to be completed this year and will be open to traffic from early 2006, according to the National Road…

The Dublin Port Tunnel is to be completed this year and will be open to traffic from early 2006, according to the National Road Authority's annual report published today.

Seven other major roads are also due for completion this year including the M50 south eastern motorway project and the N2 Carrickmacross by-pass.

Our new roads are being built to a standard that will cater for their intended transport function for many year into the future
Mr Michael Egan, NRA

Work on nineteen new roads will start during the year including the Dundalk western by-pass, the N2 Ashbourne/M50 junction, the Ballyshannon/Bundoran by-pass and the Ennis by-pass.

Crash barriers are also to be installed on motorways and dual carriageways during the year.

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Ten major road schemes were completed in 2004 including the N8 Cashel by-pass, the N11 Ashford/Rathnew by-pass and the N22 Ballincollig by-pass, the report says.

The M1 between Dublin and Dundalk, incorporating the Drogheda by-pass, has also been completed to motorway standard during the past year.

The Government has allocated €1.3 billion for national road improvements in 2005 and almost €54 million for maintenance.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Mr Michael Egan, Head of Corporate Affairs with the NRA said: "Our new roads are being built to a standard that will cater for their intended transport function for many year into the future."

"The ultimate impact of the Authority's efforts is the improvement in the quality of people's lives and the enhancement of economic performance through shorter journey times, greater certainty of journey durations and the creation of safer driving conditions," he added.