"A vital step in improving road infrastructure serving the West"
Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD today (25th April, 2005) turned the sod on the Kinnegad / Kilbeggan bypass. Minister Cullen said the €230m Government investment is "a vital step" in the improvement of road infrastructure serving the West of Ireland. The new road is expected to shave up to 30 minutes off the average Dublin to Galway journey.
The Kinnegad / Kilbeggan bypass is a key part of the Government's N6 Kinnegad to Athlone project, comprising 57.5km of dual carriageway from the existing Athlone Relief Road to the proposed M4 at Kinnegad. The location of the route is predominantly to the south of the existing N6 and there will be access to the local road network through six grade separated junctions located at Athlone, Farnagh, Moate, Kilbeggan, Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge. The project also includes the provision of 40 bridge structures (eight underbridges and 32 overbridges).
Minister Cullen said: "This is among the most crucial projects in the Government's road investment programme. For too long, tailbacks and bottlenecks have typified road journeys to the West. We have set about correcting years of under investment to address the problem.
"Today's €230m bypass is one of 8 projects identified to improve road access to the West. The Kinnegad to Athlone dual carriageway, the Loughrea byass, the Athlone bypass, the Athlone to Ballinasloe dual carriageway, the Ballinasloe East to Galway dual carriageway, the Galway Eastern Approach Road and the Galway Outer bypass will transform the road infrastructure on what is traditionally a busy route. In doing so, we are building roads which will deliver real benefits to people and communities", he said.
The Kinnegad / Kilbeggan section of the N6 has traffic volumes in the region of 11,000, of which 11% are HGV's.
Focusing on the Programme for Government, Minister Cullen 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 Westmeath and surrounding areas from the new Kinnegad / Kilbeggan bypass include;
Ø Contribute to the provision of a consistent standard of national road;
Ø Overcome the inadequacies of the existing N6 in facilitating long distance international and national traffic as well as the longer journeys of traffic generated locally;
Ø Reduce transport costs and facilitate competitiveness in the transport of goods;
Ø Improve transit times, safety levels and level of service;
Ø Improve environmental quality, and reduce vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist conflict.
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
Commenting at the sod turning, the Chairman of the National Roads Authority, Mr. Peter Malone, said, " Today's sod turning represented a significant progression in the linking of the east and west of the Country. Our new roads are being built to a standard that will cater for their intended transport function for many years 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. In this way the national roads programme is helping to underpin Government policy in a range of areas, including road safety, regional economic development and national spatial strategy objectives".
ENDS
Further info:
Department of Transport Press Office 01 6041090 / 91
Other projects on the N6
Other schemes completed / under construction/planning on the N6 include:
Phase 2 of Kinnegad Athlone (Kilbeggan to Athlone)
Phase 2 of the Kinnegad-Athlone project comprises 29kms of dual carriageway. The tender process for the Design and Build contract will commence later in 2005.
N6 Loughrea By-Pass
This project involves the construction of a 3.75km single carriageway bypass of Loughrea, eight junctions (3 roundabouts, 2 at-grade staggered junctions and 3 T-junctions) and some realignment of regional and county roads. It is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2005.
N6 Athlone By-Pass
This project involved the construction of over 9km of dual carriageway with grade separated junctions from Fardrum in Co. Westmeath to Doyles Bridge in Co. Roscommon and included a major bridge crossing of the River Shannon. The scheme was completed in June, 1991.
N6 Athlone Ballinasloe
This project involves the construction of 19km of dual carriageway between Athlone and Ballinasloe. It is anticipated that the CPO/EIS will be published in 2005.
N6 Ballinasloe East Galway
This project consists of 56km high quality dual carriageway commencing approximately 3km east of Ballinasloe and terminating where it joins the route of the Galway Outer By-Pass project, north of Oranmore. The An Bord Pleanala oral hearing into objections to the CPO/EIS was concluded in January, 2005. A decision is awaited. The project is being developed as a PPP project and the tender process is due to commence in 2005.
N6 Galway Eastern Approach Road
This project involved the provision of 3.5km of dual carriageway on the N6 from Doughiska roundabout at the end of the Oranmore/Merlin Park dual carriageway to the Ballybane roundabout. It was opened in July 1996.
N6 Galway Outer By-Pass
This project involves the construction of 17km of dual carriageway and 4km of single carriageway. The CPO/EIS is due to be published in 2005.
