Brennan announces plans for new toll road

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has announced plans to build a new toll road between Portlaoise and Cullahill in Co Laois.

The 42km stretch of motorway could reduce journey times between Cork and Dublin by up to 45 minutes.

Mr Brennan said the new road, when combined with the Monasterevin by-pass, would increase the length of the M7/M8 motorway from Dublin to the south to almost 130km.

In addition, the 7km Cashel By-Pass will be open to traffic in 2004.

The project will require an investment in excess of €300m and is currently being advanced as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.