Written answers

Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Projects Status

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the increasing congestion on the M50; the current capacity reached, at rush hour, on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9927/15]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, such as the M50 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The M50 is the most heavily trafficked road in the country with in excess of 130,000 vehicles per day using several sections. Peak period traffic volumes compromise 44% of the total daily average, with volumes at peak times being an average of 2.3 times higher than off peak volumes.

A substantial  upgrade of the M50 was completed in 2010. This resulted in the addition of a third lane in both directions from the M1 to Sandyford and a fourth auxiliary lane in places together with the development of freeflow junctions and the introduction of barrier free tolling.  This major investment has significantly enhanced the capacity of the motorway.

I would also remind the House of the substantial upgrade at Newlands Cross, part of the €282m N7/N11 Arklow to Rathnew PPP scheme, which allows for a continuous, free-flowing route between the M50 and our the cities of Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Kilkenny.

There are no proposals at present for further investment in additional capacity.

One of the conditions attached to an Bord Pleanála's approval of the upgrade was the publication of a scheme of demand management measures. The NRA in conjunction with the relevant local authorities published its M50 Demand Management Report in April 2014.

Looking to the future and increased travel demand  as the economy recovers further I asked the National Transport Authority, as the agency responsible for strategic traffic management in the GDA, to work with the NRA and the GDA local authorities to prepare a report on congestion and to outline actions and investment that might be required in the short, medium and long term. I understand that the NTA is close to finalising the report in conjunction with the other agencies.

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