Deputy appeals for funding for motorway upgrade

Daily commuters to Dublin from Kilcullen will be interested to note that Kildare South FG TD Martin Heydon is raising in the Dail today a request for funding of the third lane of the Naas by-pass, writes Brian Byrne.

The deputy is emphasising to Transport Minister Pascal Donohue the need for provision of funding for the 'Naas to Newbridge Bypass Upgrade'.

This will provide a third lane from the 'Big Ball' to the M7/M9 interchange.

"Residents and businesses in Kildare South are suffering from congestion caused by lack of capacity on this section of the motorway," the deputy says.

The €50m project will also involve construction of two new interchanges and the replacement of an access bridge.

One of the interchanges, at Osberstown, will facilitate a new bypass of Sallins. The other, south of and replacing the current Junction 10 at Newhall, will provide more efficient access both to Naas South and Newbridge and eliminate chronic congestion on the off-ramp at the present Junction.

The third lane on each side will be made mostly by eliminating the grass centre margin, minimising the necessity for compulsory purchase of land.

If all goes well and funding is granted quickly, it could be completed in two years from now.