Early Traffic Relief for Tipperary
16th October 2007
Today’s opening of a 12km section of the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown scheme and the N24 Cahir Bypass a year and a half ahead of schedule will bring freedom from traffic congestion to two county Tipperary communities. Motorists will be provided with a safer road and greater journey certainty.
Cahir will see a 50% cut in daily traffic volumes travelling through the town following the opening of the new N24 Cahir Bypass. The opening of 12kms of dual carriageway on the northern section of the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown scheme will greatly benefit the village of New Inn. It’s traffic volumes will be reduced by 80% dropping from an average of 11,300 daily to just 2, 300 as drivers use the new road. This accounts for the removal of an average of 80 HGV’s per hour from the village on weekdays.
The northern section starts at the existing Cashel Bypass and runs to the outskirts of Cahir town. The southern section will connect the N8 Cahir town to Mitchelstown. When the entire N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown road is finished it will provide a further 37kms of dual carriageway built to motorway standard on the busy Cork/ Dublin route.
Peter Malone, Chairman NRA, said,
“ Today’s sectional opening represents another step in bringing Cork closer to Dublin, opening up the south west corridor to greater commercial and tourism opportunities. The southern section from Cahir to Mitchelstown is progressing well and is expected to finish well ahead of its completion date of May 2009. The good news for the region doesn’t stop there. The N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown scheme, which will link into the Cashel to Mitchelstown project, is due to commence construction before the end of the year. The benefits delivered by roads such the Cashel to Cahir bypasses can be seen up and down the country as more towns and villages are bypassed in line with Government policy. Quality of life for such communities is greatly enhanced allowing them to enjoy a healthier, safer and more attractive environment. Road users benefit in safety terms from better road conditions and reduced journey times.”
The Irish Government under the National Development Plan, 2006-2013, funded this project with part funding from the European Union under the Trans-European Networks Budget.
For further information please contact: Sean O' Neill, Head of Communications (01) 6658744/ (086) 8230600