Minister Pat the Cope opens Monaghan Town Bypass

Date: 25 September 2006

Mr. Pat the Cope Gallagher, T.D. today (Monday, 25th September, 2006) travelled to County Monaghan where he officially opened the N2 Monaghan town Bypass. The opening marks another important step in improving access from Donegal/North West to Dublin. The N2 National Primary Route is the main arterial route from Dublin to Derry, Donegal and the northwest and the section from Ardee to north of Emyvale forms part of the Trans-European Road Network.

The Bypass is the first phase of a project and consists of 2.9kms two-lane road from the N2/N12 junction (Armagh Road) north of Monaghan town to a new roundabout on the N2 at Corlatt. The overall project involves approx. 14kms of new road from north of Emyvale to Corlatt, south of Monaghan town. Phase 2 is now at planning stage. The Bypass is funded by the Irish Government and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

At today’s opening, Minister Gallagher said: “The By-Pass will be of immense benefit to the people and businesses of Monaghan town and surrounding areas. It will not only alleviate traffic congestion, but will have a very positive impact, socially, economically and environmentally for all concerned. Tourism, enterprise and local services will be more competitive as a result of the bypass by enhancing the capacity for the movement of people, goods, energy and information between different places. In this competitive environment, time savings generate an economic advantage and these savings are translated, ultimately, into jobs. However, despite the phenomenal success of the Irish economy in recent years, the creation and maintenance of jobs must remain a priority for all.”

“This project coupled with other high-quality road infrastructure projects including the N2 Carrickmacross Bypass which opened in 2005, the N2 Ashbourne Bypass, which opened in May this year, the N2 Castleblayney Bypass, which is due to open next year, and the completion of the Dublin to Dundalk motorway on the M1, will provide quicker and safer road links between the North West, Northern Ireland, the Border region and Dublin.”

Minister Gallagher said that he himself, along with officials from the Department of Transport have participated in discussions with local elected representatives and others in connection with the North West Gateway Initiative. While the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs have a primary role in terms of co-ordination of North-South relationships, the Department of Transport continues to participate from a transport perspective.

In relation to the implementation of the national roads upgrade programme in the BMW region, there has been a major pickup in road building activities in the Region in recent years. Ten projects have been completed in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 including the M1 Dundalk Western Bypass, N4 Sligo Inner Relief Road and the N6 Loughrea Bypass. This is the fifth project to open in 2006 - the others being the N55 Cavan bypass Link, N15 Ballyshannon/Bundoran Bypass, N4 Edgeworthstown Bypass and N52 Mullingar Bypass. This pace is continuing with a further eight projects in construction and a major programme of projects in the Region in planning.

The National Spatial Strategy identifies the upgrading of our national transport networks as a key element in enhancing regional accessibility and more balanced regional development. The programme currently being implemented by the NRA is in line with the transport infrastructure priorities identified in the National Spatial Strategy. The opening of this project and the recent opening of the N55 Cavan Bypass link will assist these two towns in fulfilling the development hub role identified for them in the Strategy.

Over the next 10 years an average of over €9.4 million per day, through Transport 21, will be spent on our transport infrastructure. The goal of Transport 21 is to provide Ireland with a first class transport system that, on a national level, connects all regions to each other and to our main seaports and airports, and, in the cities, will provide greatly enhanced public transport alternatives to the private car. Minister Gallagher said: “Building on the good work done in upgrading our transport infrastructure in recent years Transport 21 represents an intensification and strengthening of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Ireland has a transport network to match and support its buoyant economy. The objective of Transport 21 is nothing less than a transformation of Ireland’s transport network. “

Minister Gallagher thanked all involved in getting this project through to its completion including O’Kane Excavations, RPS-MCOS Consulting Engineers,
the National Roads Authority and Monaghan County Council. He asked all who use the new Bypass to travel with care and courtesy for others on the road.

Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: “In county Monaghan the overall investment in road infrastructure will prove beneficial for the entire region. In particular, with the opening of the N2 Monaghan Town Bypass it will serve as the main arterial cross border connection allowing for easier access to Dublin via the M1 motorway. This project will improve the quality of life for residents of Monaghan by reliving the town of unnecessary through traffic. It will also generate more business and tourism opportunities by providing easier access throughout the greater community. We will continue the work on behalf of the Irish government by investing in a safe and modern road network under Transport 21, thus maintaining our focus on the BMW region.”

ENDS

Further info: Veronica Scanlan at 087 6430622