Written answers

Thursday, 28 September 2006

Department of Transport

Road Network

5:00 pm

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Transport when it is envisaged the Phase 2 of the M50 upgrade will commence and when it will be completed. [29703/06]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the phase 2 and phase 3 contracts planned as public private partnerships for the upgrade of the M50; if he will clarify if either of these two contracts have yet been signed; and if he will indicate the anticipated completion date of all M50 upgrade works. [29720/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the PPP process for the second phase of the M50 upgrade. [29702/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 89 and 99 together.

At the outset, I should explain that overall responsibility for the planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the M50 upgrade, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the local authorities concerned. I have no function in relation to the day-to-day operation of these projects.

In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads, including the M50, is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000).

The upgrade work on the M50 is being undertaken in three phases. Phase 1 comprises the widening of the carriageway between the N4 (Galway Road roundabout) and Ballymount interchanges and the upgrading of the N4, N7 and Ballymount interchanges. This work is currently under way and is expected to be completed in mid-2008. Phase 2 which is being administered as a Public Private Partnership project will comprise of the widening of the remainder of the M50 (other than the 3.2km West-Link section between the N3 and N4 junctions) and the upgrade of the other interchanges. The contract for Phase 2 is to be awarded in 2007 and construction is expected to be completed in 2010. Phase 3 comprises the widening of the 3.2km West-Link section between the N3 and N4 junctions which is expected to be completed by mid 2008.

Separately the NRA are procuring the replacement of the current West Link toll plaza with barrier free tolling. It is intended that this will be introduced during 2008 in tandem with the completion of phase 1 of the M50 upgrade.

I expect, therefore, that significant improvements in the situation on the M50 will take place in 2008. Further improvement will take place on completion of the later phases of the upgrade in 2010. In the meantime, traffic management in the area is being monitored on an ongoing basis with measures being taken where possible to alleviate traffic congestion resulting from the road works.

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