Cullen Opens €49.28 million N55 Cavan Bypass

Date: 14 March 2006

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D. today (Thursday, 9th March 2006) officially opened the N55 Cavan Bypass. The Bypass is on time and on budget.

"It gives me great pleasure to be here in Cavan to open another key project under Transport 21. The Cavan Bypass represents further progress in improving our national road network, nationally and in the BMW region. In addition to improving the quality of the road infrastructure, it will also improve journey times, facilitate easier access for local residents, contribute to road safety and improve the environmental quality in the region", said the Minister.

The N55 Bypass that is just constructed, together with the phase 1 construction consists of a total of 12.3km single carriageway, funded by the Irish Government at a total cost of €49.29 million. The N55 forms a strategic route on our national road infrastructure, linking Cavan to the west and south of the country.

"This year alone, we are investing €1.5billion in your National Roads infrastructure. With the delivery of each new road, each new bypass and each new motorway, we are developing a better standard of living for our communities, generating more jobs and making it easier for business to do business. Step by step, major traffic bottlenecks are being removed, in every county, in every community. We can do this because of the hard work and enterprise of the Irish people and a Government that works with them.

Speaking in Cavan, Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: "It gives me great pleasure as chairman of the National Roads Authority to welcome the official opening of the N55 Cavan Bypass. This project illustrates the significance the Authority places on balanced regional development with continued investment in the BMW region.

The final phase of the N55 Cavan Bypass involved the construction of a standard single carriageway road from the Dublin road roundabout on the N3 at Pollamore to the N55 at Corlorgan, south of Cavan - a total length of 2.8km. The project commences at the Dublin Road Roundabout on the N3 and goes cross country to the Kilnaleck Road Junction on the N55 with a new roundabout at the Nissan Garage linking with the existing town access (Ballinagh Road). It crosses the Ballyjamesduff Road at Oldtown.

The works also involved the construction of 2 roundabouts, the construction of drainage, ducting & culverts, house and field entrances and animal handling facilities, the construction of boundary walls, fencing and safety fencing and the relocation of existing services. A bridge over the local road L6503 Moynehall Road has also being provided as part of the project.

Minister Cullen congratulated all involved in the project and appealed to every driver who will use the new bypass to drive carefully and with due consideration for all other road users.

ENDS

Further info:

Dan Pender at 087 1313415