M50 Upgrade Project: Phase 2 Starts Next Week
18th January 2008
The National Roads Authority is now in a position to commence upgrade works on Phase 2 that is scheduled for completion during 2010. At present Phase 1 upgrade works on the M50 between the N4 and Ballymount junctions is on schedule to be completed in 2008.
Phase 2 of the M50 Upgrade Project will commence next week to upgrade the section of motorway from the M1 Interchange to the N3 Interchange at the northern end, and between Ballymount and the M11 on the southern end. The full work zone is 24km in length and will consist of a third lane in each direction along with junction upgrades and an additional fourth lane between adjacent interchanges. At a cost of approximately €650 million the initial work on this Public Private Partnership (PPP) project will be limited to the M50 mainline carriageway between the M1 and N2 junctions with traffic management being installed over a two-week period to enable construction in the central median along this section. Additional works on the other sections covered by Phase 2 will commence in the coming weeks and months ahead. (See attached map.)
“A major portion of work along the M50 corridor will be completed by the end of 2008, this includes the Red Cow interchange and the removal of Westlink toll plazas. By the end of 2010 the entire 39km of the M50 between the M1 and Sandyford will be completed providing a third lane in each direction on the mainline, along with an additional fourth lane between adjacent interchanges, plus freeflow arrangements for the main traffic movements at the busiest junctions”, said Hugh Creegan, Head of PPP, National Roads Authority.
“Impact on traffic during this construction project is unavoidable, but the project team is putting in place a detailed traffic management plan to minimise disruption and ensure that the existing capacity remains not only during rush hours but also right through the day,” he continued.
- Two lanes will be operational in each direction at all times between 6am and 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 10pm on Sundays.
- A 60km/hr speed limit will apply for the duration of works.
- A 24-hour Emergency Lane will be provided in each direction.
- A 24-hour Emergency Phone Line for motorway users – 1800 77 50 50 is already in operation.
- Comprehensive road signage will be in place.
- Visit www.m50.ie for regular, up-to-date information on traffic management plans throughout construction.
M50 Concession Ltd has been appointed by the National Roads Authority to carry out the Phase 2 works. The consortium comprises Spanish firms FCC Construcción S.A., Itinere S.A. and Irish firm PJ Hegarty & Sons.
M50 Concession Ltd’s contract allows them to operate and maintain the M50 motorway from the M1 to the M11 for the next 35 years, and includes 24-hour emergency response and patrols on the motorway together with routine maintenance operations.
For further information:
Sean O’Neill, NRA, 086-823 0600 / Neasa Kane, 087-232 0038 / Mary Murphy, 087-233 6415
