Cullen opens Ennis Bypass

Date: 26 January 2007

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D., today (Friday, 26th January 2007) officially opened the Ennis Bypass, a major piece of infrastructure under the Government’s Transport 21 programme. It is the first of nine major road projects due to be completed this year. Part of the Atlantic Road Corridor that stretches from Letterkenny to Waterford, the Bypass comprises 14kms of high quality dual carriageway on the N18 national primary road from Dromoland to a point south of Crusheen village where the Crusheen to Gort project is due to begin next year. It is expected to remove over 20,000 vehicles from the streets of Ennis every day.

The contractor on the project was Gama Strabag Construction Ltd. The engineering company responsible was Jacobs Babite Consulting Engineers.

Speaking in Ennis, Minister Cullen said: “Ireland is now one of the world’s most successful economies and we need a first rate road infrastructure if it is to sustain and build on that success. This year, under the Government’s investment programme for transport, Transport 21, €1.53 billion will be spent on the 2007 National Roads Programme - the largest single investment in the history of the state. This funding will allow the National Roads Authority complete work on nine schemes - and this Ennis Bypass, I am happy to say, is the first project to be completed this year. All in all, 673 projects are being funded under this year’s allocation. This Government is committed to progressing projects that will enhance the quality of life for people and underpin our prosperity.”

The Minister spoke of Ennis as a key county town that provides access to many scenic and major tourist areas in the mid west region including Kilkee, Lahinch, and the unique Karst limestone region of the Burren. “With its proximity to Shannon Airport, Ennis facilitates many visitors from both the US and Europe and today’s opening will further benefit tourism to the town, the surrounding areas and many other towns in the counties of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary which form part of the Limerick Shannon Gateway”, he added.

The Minister also said that the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) identifies the upgrading of the country’s national transport network as a key element in enhancing regional accessibility and more balanced regional development. He said: “The programme currently being implemented by the NRA is in line with the transport infrastructure priorities identified in the NSS. The opening of the Ennis Bypass will assist the town in fulfilling the development hub role identified for it in the NSS. Likewise a key element of the new National Development Plan 2007- 2013 launched earlier this week (on Tuesday) is about building on the substantial progress we have made over the lifetime of this Government, in developing and delivering major infrastructure projects”.

Since 1997, the Government has invested over €398 million in national roads in County Clare, ranging from €20.5 million in 2000 to €65.96 million in 2006. This year, it has been allocated €26.435 million.

Other road projects underway in Clare include the N85 7kms Western Relief road that will extend southwards on the western outskirts of Ennis, crossing the N68 at Cahercalla and then turning east to cross the old N18 north of Kiladysart Cross and connect with the new N18 Bypass at Killoo. The N18 Crusheen / Gort Bypass comprises 22 kms of high quality dual carriageway. It was due to commence in 2011 but is being brought forward to 2008 under Transport 21 as part of the Atlantic Road Corridor.

At today’s Bypass opening, Minister Cullen asked all road users to make a special effort to help improve safety on our roads. “As we come to the close of the first month of the new year, I would ask all drivers to take extra care on our roads. That extra effort by all of us will make our roads safer and help save lives”, he said.

Mr Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority, said: “It is great to see Ennis Bypass open to traffic. The mainline section of the Bypass is accessible to motorists three months ahead of schedule in what has been another success for the National Roads Authority. The Authority working in partnership with local authorities, continue to bring schemes in on time and on budget. Schemes such as the Ennis Bypass are important not just in a local context but nationally also. The Bypass forms part of the Atlantic Corridor, which is a core element of the Government’s Transport 21 plan. The corridor will run from Donegal to Waterford and the ongoing development of this corridor will facilitate business expansion and tourism in the southeast, west and north west of Ireland.”

Issued by, Michelle Hoctor 087 8563070
Veronica Scanlan 087 6430622