N9 Kilcullen- Waterford

Transport 21, the capital investment framework agreed by the government for the development of the transport system for 2006 – 2015 is in the second year in operation. In total it involves a budget of just over €34 billion in current cost terms and is unprecedented in this country in terms of the level of infrastructural projects it will involve over the next eight years.

There is a huge stream of projects to be rolled out this year, including the final four outstanding projects that will complete the Major Inter-Urban (MIUs), including the N7 Castletown to Nenagh, (N9) Kilcullen to Carlow as well as the continuation of the long awaited Western Rail Corridor.

Major projects completed in 2007 included the completion of 11 national road projects; 86% of the five Major Inter-Urban routes (MIUs) was either open to traffic or at construction and also the Dublin Docklands railway station opened.

Expenditure for Transport 21’s 2008 agenda is set to reach almost €3 billion with several new projects set for tender, with €1 billion set aside for public transport projects and the remaining €2 billion to be allocated to the national road network.

The PPP contribution from the private sector for the construction of toll-based roads for this year is estimated to be in the region of €365 million. Work began in February 2008 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road and on the N9 Kilcullen to Carlow and Carlow to Knocktopher roads.

All of the outstanding contracts on the major inter-urban routes (MIUs) will be awarded this year according to the Transport 21 office, and seven major new projects will also kick off. Work will continue on the 13 other projects already underway including the M3 Clonee to North of Kells, the N7 Limerick Tunnel, the N4/M50 Leixlip/M50 Junction and the M50 Upgrade Phase.

In relation to rail, An Bord Pleanála approved a Navan Railway Order on 29th February 2008 to construct the 7.5 km line from Clonsilla on the existing Dublin-Maynooth commuter line to the M3 Interchange at Pace, north of Dunboyne. The project is phase one of the proposed development of the Navan rail line under Transport 21.

It is also anticipated that construction will commence in late 2008 to ensure the line reopens in 2010. Fingal County Council and Meath County Council have made a Section 49 Levy Scheme under the Planning and Development Act, facilitating the collection of development levies which will contribute towards the project. Iarnród Éireann and Meath County Council have agreed Terms of Reference for a scoping study for Phase 2 (extension to Navan).

21 of the 26 trams on the Tallaght Luas line had been extended from 30 to 40 metres allowing for a 40% capacity increase now operating on the line. The remaining five 30 metre trams are to be extended by May 2008.
In relation to other rail projects, the construction on Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor (Ennis to Athenry) which was started in 2007, is set to continue and be completed early 2009.

The construction contract on the reopening of the Midleton line is also set to get underway later this year and work will continue on the Kildare line upgrade. The Cherrywood and Docklands Luas extensions should get underway on the Citywest Luas extension, subject to an enforceable Railway Order.

Further work on the Interconnector and Metro North Progress is also planned for 2008, with an invitation to tender issuing in respect of Metro North to four pre-qualified consortia later this year.