Motorway nets firm over €800k per week

It was one of the most controversial road schemes ever built — but now the M3 motorway is making tens of millions of euro in profits for its private operator.

Figures show the M3 is the most lucrative privately tolled motorway scheme in the country, making over €800,000 a week in profits for Eurolink Motorway Operation (M3) Ltd. The Spanish-Irish joint venture firm recorded a profit of €41.6m in 2011 — a 114% increase on the €19.4m profit in 2010.

The company earned €50.87m or €139,375 per day in revenues from tolls on the route in 2011 — doubling the €25.1m taken in during 2010 when the route opened on Jun 4.