HIGHWAY TO HELL..
Huge delays expected over two-year M7 project
COMMUTERS are facing two years of traffic disruption on Ireland’s busiest motorway due to major roadworks that start this weekend.
The M7 route will be widened from two lanes to three along a 14km stretch from Junction 9 at The Ball in Naas, Co Kildare to the M7/M9 interchange at Junction 11.
Motorists travelling on the road that links the south of the country to Dublin are being warned to allow extra time for their journeys.
Kildare County Council said two lanes of traffic – the inside lane and hard shoulder – will be kept open between 6am and 10pm until at least 2020.
A reduced speed limit of 60kph will be in place and an emergency lane will be available at all times.
Gardai have told commuters to expect delays and they will be enforcing the reduced speed limit.
Kildare Garda Division stated: “Work will see two lanes maintained in each direction but no lay-bys or areas within the work zones for stopping. There will also be a reduced speed limit of 60kph and this will be enforced by gardai. While there may be some inconvenience to motorists during these works, we ask you all to obey speed limits and rules of the road to keep traffic moving safely.” The €120million project includes relocating ramps at Junction 10 Naas South Newhall to the R445 Naas/ Newbridge dual carriageway. Contractors SIAC/COLASJV will build a new interchange at Osberstown between Junctions 9 and 10 which will be designated Junction 9A. Fianna Fail TD Fiona O’loughlin said commuters will have to feel “some pain in order to have long-term gain”, but added: “The minister should have had a plan in place in terms of taking drivers off the road during the work such as extra park and ride facilities and increased incentives to use public transport.”
She said rail fares to Dublin are “exorbitant” for commuters outside the short hop zone.