Gorey bypass opens
Journey times between Wexford and Dublin are to be slashed by around 30 minutes with the official opening today of the Gorey by-pass.
The multi-million euro road project, rolled out under the Government’s Transport 21 plan, runs for 23km and was completed ahead of schedule and within budget, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said.
The first phase of the scheme was opened in July.
The project’s completion will be a boost for commuters as the north Wexford town was a well-known traffic blackspot.
“The opening of the Gorey Bypass symbolises exactly what Transport 21 is all about – Transformation, Improvement and Achievement,” Mr Dempsey said.
“It is a project that clearly demonstrates how Transport 21 continues to transform the nation’s transport infrastructure.
“It will help deliver improved regional access and economic prosperity and make a significant contribution towards road safety and a better quality of life for the people of the Gorey area and beyond.
“All of this has been achieved in a speedy and efficient manner,” he said.
The southern 15km section of the scheme from Clogh to Tinnock opened in July and the remaining 8km section linking to the Arklow by-pass opened this morning.
Construction began in November 2005 and around 750 people have worked on the scheme.
Councillor Denis Kennedy, chairman of Wexford County Council, said: “The N11 Gorey to Arklow Link is the third of eight major roads schemes under the County Wexford National Roads Programme to be completed and the 23km new road is the first dual-carriageway in County Wexford.
“The County Wexford National Roads Programme under Transport 21 and NDP 2007-2013, involves eight projects at a cost of more than €800m.
“The eight projects are on the N11, N25 and N30 National Primary Roads that link Ireland’s premier Europort at Rosslare to the main urban centres and the National Motorway Network.
“This programme will make a positive and substantial contribution, not only to County Wexford, but also to Ireland as a whole,” he said.
