NRA Welcomes Second Westlink Bridge Opening
21st September 2003NRA Welcomes Second Westlink Bridge Opening
The opening of the second West-Link Bridge has been described as a positive development by the National Roads Authority (NRA) in the overall plan to upgrade the M50 motorway – the busiest route in the country.
Chairman of the NRA, Mr. Peter Malone said, "The opening of the second West-Link Bridge will increase the capacity of the current facility enabling the provision of additional toll lanes in each direction. This is a welcome step, which will help reduce long tailbacks currently experienced by road users, but the new bridge will not solve all the congestion problems experienced along the M50 C Ring. The NRA is acutely aware of the delays being experienced by motorists using the M50. A package of measures, which will specifically target these capacity deficiencies, is being looked at and the Authority hopes to make recommendations to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Seamus Brennan, shortly.
The design standard of the M50, particularly the interchanges, has been severely criticised over the years. At the time of design and preparation of the statutory procedures the funding was not available to construct three by three lanes and free flow interchanges. In fact without financial assistance from the European Union, very little of the M50, as it exists, would be here today. Ireland's unprecedented economic growth has put huge pressure on our infrastructure, particularly national roads. The number of registered vehicles and kilometres of travel has far exceeded projections with over half a million new cars hitting our roads in the last five years."
Chief Executive of the NRA, Mr. Michael Tobin, said, "The M50 motorway is now complete from the M1 to Ballinteer, some 30 km, which is three quarters of the entire C-Ring. The southern section known as the South Eastern Motorway is currently under construction. The M50 is performing a vital role in catering for 80,000 to over 100,000 vehicles per day, which would otherwise be travelling through the streets of the Capital.
More money is being spent this year (€1.21b) on improving the National Roads Network than at any other time in the history of the State and an improved network and plans under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, to build 900 kms of motorway/high quality dual carriageway will contribute to the general effort to keep the country competitive, thereby protecting existing employment and creating conditions conducive to further job opportunities."
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