NRA asked to draw up proposals on new Dublin ring-road

Transport Minister Martin Cullen has reportedly asked the National Roads Authority to carry out a feasibility study of a new outer ring-road for Dublin.

Reports this morning said a €1.4bn funding package for road projects due to be announced by Mr Cullen today would include an allocation for the NRA to draw up proposals on the new ring-road.

The 70km motorway would stretch from Drogheda to Naas, via Navan, and is being considered in an effort to ease congestion on the M50, which currently circles Dublin.

The €1.4bn funding package due to be announced today will pave the way for the completion of major schemes like the Dublin Port Tunnel, the South Eastern Motorway and the Loughrea bypass.

It will also allow work to start on 19 new projects, including the final phase of the M1 between Dundalk and the border, the Waterford bypass and part of the M3 north of Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.