[PR] National Roads Authority Ireland 2005 - Year in Review

Victor

http://www.nra.ie/News/PressReleases/htmltext,2023,en.html

2005 was one of the most significant years in infrastructure development for Ireland.

Some of the biggest achievements over the last year include the opening of three major motorways, the South Eastern Motorway being the final link on the M50 C-Ring around Dublin, M1 Dundalk Western Bypass and the M4 Kilcock to Kinnegad which with a length of 39 km is the longest stretch of new road ever built in Ireland.

We opened 10 major schemes in 2005. Amongst these schemes, the M1 Dundalk Western Bypass 5 months ahead of schedule, the M4 Kilcock/Kinnegad 10 months ahead of schedule and the N22 Gortatlea/Farranfore 1 month ahead of schedule.

These ten schemes represented a total Exchequer investment of over €1b. The Authority managed to deliver these schemes for one percent less than pre-construction budgets.

In 2005 we started 14 major road schemes. Additionally, the preferred tenderer has been selected for the N25 Waterford City Bypass and the M3 Clonee/Kells motorway project is ready to start construction upon resolution of a legal challenge.

Meanwhile, on the planning front we have achieved a major milestone with the publication of all Compulsory Purchase Orders and Environmental Impact Statements for the remaining sections of the five major inter-urban routes. In the course of 2005, An Bord Pleanála approved 5 of these proposals while the one outstanding scheme, the N8 Mitchelstown to Fermoy project, was under consideration by the Board as of December 2005. These approvals will allow us to move forward on the completion of the major inter-urban network due to come on-line by the end of 2010.

With regards to road safety we have achieved or exceeded the targets set for the Authority by Government in the Road to Safety Strategy 2004-2006. We completed the first pilot 2+1 road type scheme located on the N20 Mallow-Rathduff, County Cork and also commenced a second such scheme in Castleblayney, County Monaghan. We will monitor the performance of these roads and are hopeful the lessons learned provide a model that can be used extensively on our national road network.

In the 2006 we are continuing a vibrant pace of building for Ireland. In total we will commence 300 km of new motorway/dual carriageway, and 32 km of new single roadway. This activity combined with 217 km currently under construction demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to meeting the road transport needs of Ireland.

During 2006 the Authority will launch a major road signage upgrade programme involving total expenditure of €60m over the next four years. The programme will incorporate new and improved directional signage, new tourism signage, and update existing signage. We will work with local authorities and Fáilte Ireland to provide the best local and national signage.

With the launch of Transport 21 and availability of €1.466b from the Exchequer for road construction and improvements in 2006 we have the resources to deliver a major programme of works throughout Ireland over the next twelve months. In addition, we expect to invest €59m to maintain existing roads. This is the largest single investment in our nation's history for the National Roads Programme and it brings us closer to achieving a modern inter-urban network of safe roads that will deliver a high level of services for road users throughout the country.

Details of major schemes completed and major schemes commenced in 2005 below.

For further information please contact
Sean O’Neill, Head of Communications NRA
01 660 2511 ext. 284

Maskhadov

With regards to road safety we have achieved or exceeded the targets set for the Authority by Government in the Road to Safety Strategy 2004-2006. We completed the first pilot 2+1 road type scheme located on the N20 Mallow-Rathduff, County Cork and also commenced a second such scheme in Castleblayney, County Monaghan. We will monitor the performance of these roads and are hopeful the lessons learned provide a model that can be used extensively on our national road network.

2+1 should be the de facto standard for all national roads in Ireland.

murphaph

Maskhadov wrote:

2+1 should be the de facto standard for all national roads in Ireland.

:eek: Including the M50? :eek: Seriously, I'm sure you mean all non dual carriageway national roads but even that would be really OTT and extraordinarily expensive. At most we might see 2+1 on all non-dual national primary routes, but not secondary ones.

Maskhadov

Typo Murp. I meant 2+1 for primary routes of course.

The M-50 needs 4 lanes either way at least with lots of flyovers and an orbital outer route.