Taoiseach opens Ashbourne Bypass

Date: 25 May 2006

"10,000 vehicles removed from Ashbourne"

Four months ahead of schedule, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, T.D., today (Thursday, 25 May 2006) opened the Ashbourne Bypass. The new Bypass will mean time savings of up to 20 minutes at peak times and will remove some 10,000 vehicles from the town of Ashbourne each day.

Speaking at the opening, an Taoiseach said: "The N2 Finglas Ashbourne route, including the Ashbourne bypass is another critical project under Transport 21. I believe that this Government has demonstrated its commitment to putting in place a high quality transport infrastructure that matches our status as one of the most dynamic economies in the world over recent years. We have already invested almost €8 billion since 1997 on transport. That was a record level of investment in transport but will seem modest in comparison to the €34 billion that will be invested in transport infrastructure over the next 10 years, under the Government's Transport 21 plans."

Joining the Taoiseach at the opening, the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, T.D. welcomed the completion of the project that is ahead of schedule and within budget. He said: "The N2 is a strategic North/ South link and the Government has invested almost €85m this year in major schemes along this route, including the recently completed Carrickmacross Bypass and the Castleblayney and Monaghan Bypasses, which are currently under construction. Excellent projects such as this one are clear evidence of the Government's commitment to providing a top quality transport infrastructure. It will also help in improving our economic competitiveness, in creating jobs and in achieving more balanced regional development. In fact this project together with a number of other ones in the Cavan, Meath, Louth and Monaghan areas will do more to open up these border counties than anything done heretofore."

The project involved the construction of approximately 3.5km of a new dual three lane carriageway with hard shoulder; approximately 13.5km of a new dual two lane carriageway with hard shoulder and 1.5km of new dual two lane carriageway without hard shoulder. It also includes 16 bridge structures, some 20 culverts; two grade separated interchanges, four at-grade roundabouts and approximately 6km of minor road works.

The N2 extends from Finglas, on the north west of the city through Dublin, Meath, Louth and Monaghan to the border, where it becomes the A5 route to Derry.

Further info: Veronica Scanlan at 087 6430622