On-time M9 motorway almost complete
MINISTER SAYS JOURNEY TIME FROM DUBLIN TO WATERFORD 90 MINUTES
The second section of the Dublin to Waterford road from Powerstown will open in two weeks time.
The entire motorway is just about complete as work is being carried out on the connecting section and will open to traffic ahead of schedule from lunchtime on Thursday, September 9, after a planned ribboncutting ceremony in the morning by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey. It will mean a bypass of Kilkenny and will significantly reduce journey times between Carlow and Waterford.
'It will be possible to travel from the Red Cow roundabout to Waterford in 90 minutes while observing the speed limit,' said Minister Dempsey at the opening of the first section.
Work is now well underway at the Powerstown link road as the entire motorway is planned to open ahead of schedule at a total cost of €467 million.
Motorists will be glad to learn of confirmation from the National Roads Authority that the M9 will be link free.
The completion of the M9, which runs through Counties Kildare, Carlow and Kilkenny and was built in four stages, significantly reduces journey times between Dublin and Waterford.
The N9/N10 Carlow Bypass, which consists of 18.5km of high quality dual carriageway, was officially opened to traffic in May 2008 on time and within budget.
The section of the road from Kilcullen to Carlow, a 28km stretch, officially opened in December 2009 ten months ahead of schedule and on budget. The section of the road from Dublin to Kilcullen is also complete.
- LYNDA CONNOLLY
