A new orbital route around Dublin is being proposed by the Department of Transport. This route will provide a motorway link from Drogheda to Kilcullen and will connect Navan, Slane, Trim, Kilcock, Kilcullen and Naas and will be roughly 80km long.
A study examining the viability of such a road was commissioned by the Minister of Transport and carried out by the National roads Authority and Goodbody Economic Consultants. The road will link the M1, M3, M4, M7 and M9.
A two or three lane motorway would carry between 35,000 and 55,000 cars per day and would bring significant economic and life style improvements to surrounding areas. Apart from these benefits, much traffic will be diverted from the M50 to this new route.
The current upgrade words on the M50 will cost in the same region of building this road and it is hoped the Minister of Transport will make a decision in September. Unfortunately, even if the road gets the go ahead in September 2007, it will take in the region of 10 years to complete the project.
If this project were to go ahead, it would mean travelling around Ireland will become a lot easier for those who rent a car with Thrifty.