Bypass project promises good times ahead

JOURNEY times between the south-east and Dublin are to be cut by almost an hour within the next two years, with work getting underway yesterday on the new N9 Carlow bypass.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen was digging deep again yesterday, turning the sod at Johnstown, Co Carlow, on the new scheme.

“Inside the next three and a half years, we will build 110km of new road from Waterford to Dublin, transforming the lives of people who have been taking this journey for years,” he said.

The Carlow bypass becomes the second leg of the N9 to have started, with the Waterford city bypass now also in construction. The Carlow to Waterford section is next, with work to start on the first stage of this section later this year. The final leg, Carlow to Kilcullen and Carlow to Knocktopher will follow.

The bypass is being constructed as part of the new N9/N10 dual carriageway, which will carry much of the long distance traffic using the existing Dublin-Waterford road.

It is expected the N9/N10 will be completed in full by 2010.