The Naas and Kilcullen Bypasses, opened 20 years ago

The M7 Ballymany Interchange and a special horse access bridge at the Curragh Plains under construction.

The M7 Newbridge Bypass scheme consisted of the construction of 12km of motorway between the M7 Naas Bypass and the dual carriageway across the Curragh Plains, writes Paul MacDonald, Kildare National Roads Office.

The scheme provided congestion relief for Newbridge town which was experiencing traffic flows of over 30,000 vehicles per day due to its location on the Dublin to Cork and Limerick routes. The scheme was also supported by the European Social Development Fund to enhance access to Ireland within Europe. The selection of a motorway cross section with a geometric design speed of 120 kilometre per hour for the scheme was an important design decision to ensure safe driving conditions on the bypass at a time of increasing car ownership levels in Ireland.

New dualway cuts travel time

The N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone national road scheme was officially opened today by Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport.

The new dual carriageway commences close to Kilbeggan at the western end of the completed N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan scheme and connects to the eastern end of the existing Athlone Bypass.

Three towns and villages are bypassed by the new road -- Kilbeggan, Horseleap and Moate. As a result, there will be a reduction in travel time due, in particular, to the bypassing of Moate where delays of up to 45 minutes have been experienced on a regular basis at peak times.

Changes to layout at Red Cow

New local diversions at the N7/Red Cow Interchange will come into play tomorrow to facilitate the next phase of works at the interchange.



N7 Westbound traffic exiting the Red Cow Interchange will transfer onto a new temporary road through the Luas Car Park. The existing signalised Luas access will be modified to allow westbound traffic to access Monastery Lane.

A Stage 2 takes effect from 30th April 2007. At that stage a section of the N7 junction roundabout will be removed and certain traffic movements will be diverted to make a U-turn at the modified Monastery Lane traffic signals.

This diversion will affect traffic exiting the city and wishing to turn north onto the M50, as well as M50 northbound traffic wishing to turn right towards the city. The junction between Monastery Road and the N7 will be closed, and Monastery Lane will be widened and made two-way. The traffic lights on the Northwest of the roundabout will be removed.

Vehicular access to the Luas Park and Ride Facility will be maintained.

Pedestrians will be rerouted to cross the N7 at the Luas access junction to avoid the works. The Bus Stop at IBIS will be relocated to Monastery Lane.

The new M50 Southbound to N7 Eastbound (towards the city) Freeflow Slip Road will be open to traffic in May 2007. BB.