Stroke of a pen sees 3 new motorways

THREE new motorways will be opened in Limerick next month without a sod being dug.

It has all been achieved with the stroke of a ministerial pen, it has emerged.

Using powers under the Roads Act 2007, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has redesignated stretches of national primary roads and dual carriageways. From August 28, they will be officially motorways. The new status of these roads will mean the speed limit will rise from 100 to 120km/h.

The new motorway system will include the 8.5km phase one section of the Limerick southern ring road stretching from Anacotty to Rosbrien and a 5km section of the main Limerick/Cork N20 between Arrflin and Patrickswell. A section of the N18 from Shannon to Galway has also been given the upgraded status.

Sean O’Neill of the National Roads Authority said all the roads being given motorway status had been completed to a high-quality dual carriageway standard.

“There is no difference between a high-quality dual carriage and a motorway. It is only a legal distinction,” said Mr O’Neill.

Mr Dempsey said the move “will create uniformity of speed limits across major sections of the national network and protect ... public investment from inappropriate development”.