Cullen officially opens first section of the N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan Road Project

Date: 05 December 2006

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D., officially opened the first section of Phase 1 of the N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan Road Project today (Tuesday, 5th December 2006). This first section comprises 19kms of high quality dual carriageway, built to motorway standard from Kinnegad to Tyrrellspass and has been completed within budget and 12 months ahead of schedule.

The N6 Kinnegad to Tyrrellspass road project was funded by the Irish Government and is being co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

At today’s opening ceremony, Minister Cullen said that the completion of this section of Phase 1: “Is another major step forward under the Government’s Transport 21 programme, in improving the road infrastructure serving the west of Ireland. 2006 sees the pace and momentum of the national roads programme at an all time high. We will be opening the N25 Kinsalebeg project on Friday and the Ennis Bypass later this month.” The Minister added: “Better roads, like this 19kms stretch we are opening today, make for easier, safer, road journeys in less time and in less built-up traffic.”

The project is located on the N6 which is the route link from Galway to Dublin. Overall, Phase 1, Kinnegad to Kilbeggan, totals 28kms of high quality dual carriageway that begins at the western side of Kilcock and ends at the N52 south of Kilbeggan, bypassing the villages of Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass en route. Up to now, this stretch of road has seen traffic volumes of up to 11,000 vehicles a day. The main contractor managing the project is Ascon Ltd.

Minister Cullen said: “Good progress is now being made on the upgrade of the entire Galway-Dublin route. It is now possible to travel on continuous motorway and high quality dual carriageway from Dublin to Tyrrellspass on the N6 - a distance of 74kms. Throughout the country, we have seen the difference new road projects can make to people’s lives. Business can do business with greater time certainty and commuters can get to their destination in a more efficient way.

“This road project is part of a major programme of investment in our national roads. Route by route the national road network is being transformed. The fruits of this Government’s transport infrastructure development policies can be seen throughout the country.”

Other schemes currently under construction on the Dublin - Galway route include:

Phase 2 of N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone
The design and build contract was awarded in May 2006. The scheme consists of 29km of dual carriageway and will bypass the towns and villages of Kilbeggan, Horseleap and Moate. The contract is due for completion Summer 2008.
N6 Athlone - Ballinasloe
This scheme involves the construction of 19km of dual carriageway between Athlone and Ballinasloe. The tender process for a design and build contract has commenced.
N6 Ballinasloe East - Galway
This project consists of 56km high quality dual carriageway commencing approximately 3km east of Ballinasloe and terminating at the Galway Eastern Approach Road at Doughiska, where it joins the route of the Galway Outer By-Pass scheme, north of Oranmore. The scheme is being developed as a PPP project. An Bord Pleanála approved the scheme in June 2005 and tenders have been received as part of the PPP procurement process.
N6 Galway Outer By-Pass
This project involves the construction of 21kms of mainly dual carriageway. The compulsory purchase order and the environmental impact statement are due to be published later this month.

Also speaking at the launch today, Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: “The opening of a 19 km section of the N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan scheme a year ahead of target is an early Christmas present for motorists using the busy Dublin to Galway route. The new section of high quality road will remove one of the worst sections of the Dublin to Galway route, which runs from Kinnegad to Rochfordbridge resulting in improved road safety and travel times. The rest of this scheme is due to open by the end of next year and the entire inter-urban route by 2010. It is great to end the year on such a positive note. 2006 has been another successful year for the National Roads Authority. Working in partnership with local authorities we have yet again succeeded in bringing schemes in on time and on budget.”

Road Safety Message
Minister Cullen made a special plea for all road users to make an extra effort during this month and take extra care and caution on our roads. “We are entering one of the busiest and most dangerous periods of the year on our roads,” the Minister said. “I am asking every road user whether they are driving, cycling or walking to make that extra effort in helping to make our roads safer. I wish to thank Commissioner Conroy and his team of Gardaí for their part in enforcing the law. Of course, there are many road users who obey the law too; however, I am appealing to those who take the risk and insist on speeding, or not wearing a seatbelt, to think again and ask themselves what difference those minutes they have saved in getting to their destination, will make. They may well be the five or ten minutes that would ruin their life or someone else’s forever. I would appeal also to road users not to drink and drive this Christmas. This year, our roads could be safer if all of us co-operate and play our part. Let us make that happen.”

Issued by: Michelle Hoctor (01) 6041089 or 087 8563070
Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 or 087 6430622