"Investment in Monaghan vital for BMW and Border development" Minister Brendan Smith
Local Minister, Brendan Smith TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture today (21st February, 2005) turned the sod on the Monaghan bypass. Minister Smith said that the €25m investment, together with two further road projects in Carrickmacross and Castleblayney demonstrates the Government's drive for development in Monaghan and the BMW and Border regions.
The Monaghan bypass will remove an average of 5,000 vehicles from the town. It joins other BMW road infrastructure projects such as the Carrickmacross and Castleblayney bypasses, the upgrade of the N2 between the M50 Interchange and Ashbourne and the completion of the Dublin to Dundalk motorway. "This Government investment will provide quicker and safer road links between the North West, Northern Ireland, the Border region and Dublin", Minister Smith said.
Focusing on the Programme for Government, Minister Smith said the Government is committed to investing €150m of taxpayers' money per month in the country's road network. "Investing €150m per month in our road network is not just about delivering shorter, safer and superior road journeys. It is equally about adding personal advantages to people's lives. Investing €150m per month in roads provides and protects jobs, ensures goods get to the market quicker and allows the regions to prosper. These gains contribute to a better quality of life."
Among the direct benefits to the people and businesses of Monaghan and surrounding areas from the new road including;
Ø Reduce travel times and improve safety for all traffic using the N2,
Ø Reduce and traffic congestion,
Ø Reduce vehicle versus pedestrian, cyclist and other road user conflict on the existing route,
Ø Accommodate future growth of traffic,
Ø Reduce the accident rates experienced on the present road through the development of a road offering free-flow traffic conditions at an acceptable speed,
Ø Provide an improved standard of national road,
Ø Improve the environment of those people living adjacent to the existing N2 and
Ø Remove through traffic from Monaghan thereby reducing congestion and improving environmental standards and safety. The bypass will remove an average of 5,000 vehicles from the town.
ENDS
Further info:
Department of Transport Press Office 01 6041090 / 91
N2 Carrickmacross By-Pass
Project Description
-
The project consists of 8.5km of single carriageway and associated works to replace a substandard section of the existing N2 from Aclint (county boundary) to north of Carrickmacross, bypassing the town to the east.
-
It includes the construction of 7 bridges as follows:
Ø Blackfort Road underbridge;
Ø Killany Road underbridge;
Ø An overbridge (Moynalty Duff Farm accommodation bridge);
Ø Dundalk Road underbridge;
Ø Dundalk Road grade separated junction - an underbridge;
Ø An overbridge at Crossmaglen Road, and
Ø Northern grade separated junction - an overbridge.
The realignment of sections of existing roads including Blackfort County Road, Killany Road, Dundalk Road, Crossmaglen Road and Lisanisk Road;
Ø Construction of link roads (Blackfort Road link, which is 530m long and the Ballybay Road link, which is 280m long);
Ø Farm access tracks of varying lengths;
Ø Seven culvert crossings;
Ø Associated drainage works;
Ø Landscaping;
Ø Accommodation works including boundary treatments, fencing and provision of gates and access points, and
Ø Diversion of public and private utilities.
Archaeology
-
All the main archaeological sites were excavated prior to road construction commencement. The sites uncovered comprised a Neolithic settlement of three large and very well built timber-framed houses and a 60m diameter, double ditched ringfort, probably connected with the McMahon Clan (medieval Gaelic Lords of Monaghan). The ringfort was re-occupied during the 17th century when it became a metal working centre and a possible 17th century murder victim had been tossed into the ringfort ditch. Evidence shows this site had been deliberately razed to the ground around 1700.
-
Minor sites excavated included a small family cemetery located in the corner of a field, possibly dating to the 18th - 19th century. Fifteen individuals, mostly adults and a few juveniles were excavated.
Other projects on the N2
Other projects completed / under construction /in planning on the N2 include:
N2 North Road, Finglas
This project involved a 1.8km extension of the dual carriageway from Mellowes Road in the north of Dublin City to the M50 Ring Road. The project was opened to traffic in April 1996.
M50 Interchange to North of Ashbourne (Ashbourne Bypass)
This project provides for a new 17km high quality dual carriageway extending from Finglas to north of Ashbourne. The Design and Build contract was signed in May with construction commencing then also. It is due for completion in August 2006.
N2 Slane By-Pass
This project involves a 4km single carriageway by-pass of Slane and is currently at Route Selection stage.
N2 Ardee Aclint
This project, which was opened in September, 1999, involved the realignment of over 5.5km of single carriageway on the N2 north of Ardee towards the Co. Monaghan border at Rathory.
M1/N2 Ardee Link Road
On 26 January, 2001 the new N33 road linking the M1 at the Charleville Interchange to a roundabout on the N2 north of Ardee was officially opened. The project involved the construction of 7.9km of single carriageway and two river crossings.
N2 Ardee By-Pass
This project involves an N2 by-pass consisting of approximately 4km of standard single carriageway and an N52 by-pass consisting of 4km of reduced single carriageway. The timing of the CPO is presently under review.
N2 Bloomfield / Castleblayney
The entire project involved the realignment of 6.6km of national primary road south of Castleblayney and was completed in 1996.
N2 - Monaghan Bypass/Relief Road
The project will involve approximately 14km of new road from north of Emyvale to Corlatt, south of Monaghan Town. The new road will by-pass both Emyvale and Monaghan. This project will be undertaken in two phases:
Phase 1: A 2.9km two-lane road, from the existing N2/N12 junction (Armagh Road) north of Monaghan town to a new roundabout on the N2 at Corlatt. The tender process has been completed with the successful contractor to be appointed in the coming weeks following the production of the necessary bonds/insurances. The project construction is scheduled to start on 21 February with an expected contract duration of 15 months.
Phase 2: This comprises 11.3km of two-lane road, from the existing N2/N12 junction (Armagh Road) to north of Emyvale. Phase 2 has received Part IIX Planning Stage approval.
Castleblayney Bypass
A 15.3km wide 2+1 lane road from the existing N2 at Tullybuck to the existing N2 at Tullyvin, bypassing Clontibret, Annyalla and Castleblayney. The estimated cost of the scheme is €108.9million. The restricted tender process for D & B contractors is underway and submissions from interested parties have been received. The construction contract is expected to be awarded in Quarter 3 of 2005.
