Cullen Turns Sod On Phase 2 Of Waterford To Dublin Road Project
12th February 2007
A sod of County Kilkenny earth was turned today (Monday, 12th February 2007) at Mullinavat by Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D., to mark the commencement of Phase 2 of the M/N9 Waterford to Dublin road project. The project consists of 24 kms of road built to motorway standard and forms part of the southern section of the Waterford to Dublin inter-urban corridor. It will run from Knocktopher in County Kilkenny to the N25 Waterford City Bypass this Bypass is currently under construction. Ascon Ltd. have been awarded the contract for the Knocktopher to Waterford project, which is expected to be completed in 2009. The project is one of seven national road projects to commence this year under the Government's investment programme, Transport 21. The N9 Knocktopher to Waterford Scheme is being funded by the IrishGovernment under the National Development Plan, 200-2006 and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
When the entire 110 kms route is completed it will link Dublin to Waterford; the N9 will stretch from its junction with the N7 at Kilcullen in County Kildare down to the Waterford City Bypass. At the southern end it will connect into the N25 to Waterford, Rosslare and Cork. At the northern end, the N9 will connect into the N7, which in turn connects to Dublin, Limerick, Portlaoise and Belfast. The 19 kms N9 Carlow Bypass (Phase 1) is in construction since last year and is due to be completed in 2008. The contract for the Kilcullen to Carlow section (Phase 3) is due to be awarded later this year and construction will begin in 2008. The final leg of the project that will link this end of the route with the Carlow Bypass will begin construction in 2008 and is expected to be completed in 2010.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Minister Cullen said:
"This Government is committed to the creation of a road network that will promote regional and national competitiveness. It is also crucial to continue Ireland's future economic competitiveness. It is critical that enterprises are able to efficiently move goods both internally and to and from external markets. As 98.3% of our internal merchandise trade is carried on our road network, it is vital that we develop and build a world-class roads system, especially between the major urban centres."
When the entire M/N9 road project is completed, towns such as Thomastown, Gowran, Paulstown, Stoneyford, Knocktopher, Ballyhale and Mullinavat will enjoy the benefits of a decrease in traffic going through their streets. The route will also facilitate regional development as set out in the Government's National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020. With Waterford as a gateway city and Kilkenny and Wexford supporting hubs, it is envisaged that growth in the southeast region will multiply through its skilled and increasing population base now and in the years ahead. Commenting today on road safety, the Minister said:
"The high quality dual carriageways and motorways we are building throughout the country have been proven to be seven times safer than the roads they are replacing. This of course does not reduce the responsibility on all of us as individuals to drive carefully, to respect other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, to observe speed limits and never to drink and drive."
The Minister wished success to the National Roads Authority and to all involved in the M/N9 road project. Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said:
"Car ownership in Ireland has almost doubled over the past decade. The resulting growth in traffic has placed immense pressure on the network of national roads in relation to the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. The provision of motorway or equivalent between Ireland's major cities will facilitate improved competitiveness and economic performance at both national and regional level. The good news is that the National Roads Authority is on target to deliver the major inter-urban routes by 2010. The new N9 corridor will provide a robust basis for sustainable growth in the Southeast over the medium to long term. Work starts today on the second scheme the N9 Waterford to Knocktopher phase. Some stretches along this section of the N9 have twice the collision rate as the national average. In cognisance of this, the National Roads Authority has prioritised this project as motorways and dual carriageways are inherently safer than single carriageways."
For further information please contact Sean O’ Neill on (01) 6658744 or (086) 8230600