Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department met with all interested parties to discuss measures to reduce congestion on the M50 during the upgrade works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35793/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, I should point out that traffic management in general is a matter for the appropriate local authority. In the case of the current upgrade works on the M50, that authority is South Dublin County Council with, I understand, Dublin City Council's assistance in managing the junctions and the associated traffic signals.

The M50 has experienced massive traffic growth over recent years in line with economic and employment growth and increased car ownership rates. Average annual daily traffic flows on a number of sections of the M50 exceed 85,000 vehicles and major congestion occurs at peak times.

There are no simple quick-fix solutions to resolve motorway congestion. In the case of the M50, the solution entails the construction of additional lane capacity, the upgrading of the junctions along the route and the replacement of the existing tolling arrangements with barrier free tolling.

The M50 upgrade is a major infrastructure project being undertaken under live traffic conditions. This imposes serious constraints both on those carrying out the works and on motorists using the facility. It simply is not possible to carry out a project on this scale without some temporary worsening of traffic conditions. Nevertheless, while these works are taking place, the NRA, the Local Authorities and the Gardaí are co-operating very closely to ensure that everything possible is done to mitigate the impact of the works on traffic flows. The Authorities and the Gardaí are in regular contact and the situation is kept under constant review. Both the Local Authority and the contractor have dedicated personnel working full-time on traffic management. My officials and I are keeping in touch with all stakeholders and, in the circumstances, I am satisfied that no effort is being spared by those responsible for traffic management and law enforcement to alleviate the problems on the M50 insofar as that is possible.

I expect that significant improvements in the situation on the M50 will take place on completion of Phase 1 of the Upgrade 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.