Speech by the Minister for Transport, Mr Martin Cullen TD, at the official opening of Phase 1, N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan (road opening to Tyrrellspass)

Date: 05 December 2006

Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Introduction

I am delighted to be here in Westmeath this afternoon to mark the opening of this important section of the N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan road project the specific stretch of high quality dual carriageway running 19 km from Kinnegad to Tyrrellspass. I would like to recognise those involved in the planning, design and construction of this road. The National Roads Authority and Westmeath County Council; the builders Ascon Ltd and Consultants; the engineers Roughan & O'Donovan/WSP Joint Venture; the landowners in this area and any one else who had an input in to this project. As we can see here today, your collaborative efforts have been rewarded by the creation of this fine piece of road infrastructure.

I was present on 25 April 2005 at the sod turning of this project and it was estimated at that time that this stretch of road would be completed by the end of 2007. It is wonderful to see the progress that has been made and that the Kinnegad to Tyrrellspass scheme is actually open to traffic 12 months ahead of the contract completion date.

The completion of this section of Phase 1 is another major step in progressing the Government's Transport 21 programme, which has at its core, the improvement of our road infrastructure throughout the country. Better roads, like this 19kms stretch, make for easier, safer, road journeys in less time and in less built-up traffic. 2006 has seen the pace and momentum of the national roads programme reach an all-time high today's scheme is the 13th project to open to date this year. We will be opening the N25 Kinsalebeg project on Friday and the Ennis Bypass later this month. On Thursday I will be in North Tipperary for the sod turning on the N7 Nenagh-Limerick road.

Project

This N6 project which is part of the east/west strategic road corridor, is a vital step in the improvement of road infrastructure serving the west of Ireland specifically. Coupled with the ongoing major road improvements on the N4, this project will greatly improve access to and will have a very positive impact economically and socially on the region. As well as these benefits, it will also provide better access to and from airports and ports. For too long, tailbacks and bottlenecks have typified road journeys to the west.

Today's scheme as I mentioned, consists of 19kms of high quality dual carriageway, built to motorway standard. I understand that the contract is ongoing for the remainder of the scheme 28kms in total that will extend to Kilbeggan and has a completion date of November 2007.

Other Projects on N6 to Galway

Good progress is now being made on the upgrade of the entire Galway Dublin route. It is now possible to travel on continuous motorway and high quality dual carriageway from Dublin to Tyrrellspass on the N6 a distance of 74kms. Work is advancing well on Phase 2 of the Kinnegad/Athlone project with a contract due for completion in summer 2008. This project will see the towns and villages of Kilbeggan, Horseleap and Moate bypassed. The remaining projects on the N6 are advancing well in planning:

the tender process for the design and build contract for the Athlone/Ballinasloe scheme has commenced, and
tenders have been received for the Ballinasloe/Galway scheme as part of the PPP procurement process. It is anticipated that construction work will commence on this part of the N6 in early 2007.
Overall the NRA is targeting full completion of the route by 2010. The improved project management and cost estimation and control arrangements, which have been put in place by the NRA in recent years, has resulted in a very welcome trend of projects being delivered on time and within budget.

Transport 21

Over the next nine years, the Government will spend through Transport 21, an average of over €9.4 million per day on our transport infrastructure and services. Building on the good work done in upgrading our transport infrastructure in recent years, Transport 21 represents a strengthening of the Government's commitment to ensuring that Ireland has a transport network to match and support its buoyant economy. We have an economy that is working and a country that is at work and as a result, many many people on the move. We are effectively at full employment and the economy is growing at its potential rate. There are now, for the first time ever, over two million people at work in this country. The objective of Transport 21 is nothing less than a transformation of Ireland's transport network to match our position in the market place.

This latest road opening today is part of a broader programme of investment in the national roads. Route by route the national road network is being transformed. Throughout the country, we have seen the difference new road projects can make to people's lives. Business can do business with greater time certainty and commuters can get to their destinations in a more efficient way. This opening today will free up traffic through the towns of Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass. Up to now, these towns have seen traffic volumes of up to 11,000 vehicles a day. I hope that workers and families in these towns particularly, will now enjoy an improved quality of life.

This Government is committed to ongoing development of our roads and the recent Budget estimate from Minister Cowen will allow us to move strongly forward with the delivery of that vision in 2007. Under Transport 21, the total spend on the national roads development programme in 2007 will be €1.5 billion. This together with private sector funding of some €540 million will maintain the high level of investment in this major infrastructural programme.

Road Safety

One of my key priorities as Transport Minister has been to make our roads safer. It is well known that we have an unacceptable rate of deaths and injuries on our roads. I am all too aware that this part of the country has had its share of tragic road accidents. A critical step forward has been the establishment of the Road Safety Authority on 1 September 2006 for the first time all the necessary authority has been given to one organisation to deliver safer roads.

With the approach of the Christmas season, it is especially important to drive carefully on our roads. On 23 November last I launched the Road Safety Authority Christmas Anti-Drink Driving Campaign. While drink driving is not acceptable at any time of year, it is essential that during this social and festive season we are particularly conscious of the dangers of drink driving. If you want to have a drink, please leave your car keys at home. I would ask all road users to also drive within the speed limit and to wear a seat belt, no matter where they are seated in a car. This Christmas, our roads could be safer if all of us co-operate and play our part. Let us make that happen.

Conclusion

I will conclude by thanking all those involved for their hard work in bringing this new Westmeath road project to fruition. Thank you all very much.

ENDS