TRANSPORT is one of the biggest beneficiaries in the Government’s budget with Finance Minister Brian Cowen announcing an overall investment package worth €2.7 billion.

EXISTING high-quality dual carriageways across Ireland will soon be upgraded to motorway status with speed limits increasing to 120km/h.

THE State will be the main beneficiary of any increase in traffic levels following the removal of toll barriers on the Westlink bridge on the M50.

TRAFFIC collisions involving foreign-registered vehicles are reaching record levels, with about 900 such accidents notified to the authorities during 2006.

A MAJORITY of heavy goods vehicles are continuing to avoid using the new toll-free Dublin Port Tunnel.

Motorists on Dublin’s M50 will be paying tolls fees for at least another 30 years, the Dáil heard today.

MOTORISTS using the M50 ring road around Dublin can expect even worse traffic delays than normal when work begins next month to upgrade the motorway to six lanes.

No decision has yet been made on four proposed new tolls on the M50 motorway, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil tonight.

Mary Dundon, Political Reporter

The Comptroller and Auditor General is to investigate a contract between the Government and National Toll Roads for the construction of the Westlink bridge in Dublin.

The State reportedly gave €6.4m to National Toll Roads in 2002 and 2003 as compensation for refusing to allow the company to increase charges on Dublin’s Westlink toll bridge.