Pat the Cope Gallagher Officially Opens N52 Mullingar Bypass

Date: 04 August 2006

Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher, T.D. today (Friday, 4th August 2006) travelled to County Westmeath where he officially opened the N52 Mullingar Bypass which will provide a needed relief for the town of Mullingar. 70% of the 10,000 vehicles travelling through the town centre daily will take the new bypass thus relieving the residents and businesses of the unnecessary traffic congestion and give Mullingar back to its people.

The 5km bypass will allow for a consistent standard of national road that improves road safety and will provide a time-saving element because it removes a congestion point. At a cost of 25.4 million this project commenced work in October of 2005 and finished on schedule August 2006.

Minister Gallagher said: "The N52 is an important cross country link, providing an eastern bypass of the town of Mullingar for North South traffic. It intersects the country's main arteries by linking the N1 at Dundalk, to the N2 at Ardee, the N3 at Kells, the N4 here at Mullingar, the N6 at Kilbeggan and south through Tullamore and Birr terminating on the N7 at Nenagh. The opening of the N52 bypass today therefore forms part of the strategic national roads policy to improve the primary and secondary road networks as provided for in Transport 21.

"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."

Speaking on Road Safety Minister Gallagher said: "Road developments such as this project will deliver safety gains in engineering terms, but it important that they are used safely. This weekend I would urge everyone to slow down, fasten safety belts and never ever drink and drive, we should bear in mind that when we get behind the wheel, our lives, and those of other road users, depend on our behaviour.

"This Government has given extra powers to the gardai enabling them to carry out mandatory breath testing whenever and wherever they decide and you will see these checkpoints at various locations all over the country. We have also banned the use of mobile phones while driving. Any driver who refuses to obey the law on either of these can expect to be caught and punished. So Drive safe, take heed of other road users, never ever drink and drive and refrain from using your handheld mobile phone."

Mr Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: "I am delighted that we have completed the N52 Mullingar Bypass. The N52 stretches all the way from Dundalk, my hometown in county Louth, to Nenagh in North Tipperary. So, I'm very familiar with Mullingar and the negative impact that traffic congestion has had on that fine town. This 5km bypass will give back to the people of Mullingar their town. In addition, the continued progress being made across the midlands will bring a safe and more efficient road network to the region thus advancing business development and tourism."

Ends