Contents:
MISCELLANEOUS INFO
Below is a list of recently completed and upcoming major road projects. The exact date is not always known. Many roads in Ireland open as dual carriageways and are subsequently redesignated motorways. From a legal perspective, this is a much easier way of getting the motorway built. Click here for more information on this and for a factsheet on the terminology used in road construction in Ireland, which can vary by country.With such a rich archaeological heritage and large areas of unspoilt scenery, it was inevitable that many road building projects in Ireland would prove to be controversial. An essay on this.
RECENTLY COMPLETED AND UPCOMING ROAD LIST
|
Date |
Standard |
Name |
Length |
Stage |
|
1983-xx-xx |
M |
M7 Jct 9-10 Naas |
7 |
Complete |
|
1985-xx-xx |
M |
M1 Whitehall-Jct 1-2 Santry-Airport |
5.5 |
Complete |
|
198x-xx-xx |
D2AP |
N18 Limerick (SRR) - Hurler's Cross |
7.6 |
Complete |
|
1990-03-xx |
M |
M50 Jct 6-7 N3-N4 |
3.2 |
Complete |
|
1990-05-02 |
M |
M50 Jct 7-9 N4-N7 |
4.6 |
Complete |
|
1990-12-17 |
M |
M50 Jct 9-11 N7-N81 |
4 |
Complete |
|
1990-xx-xx |
D2AP |
N11 Jct 12-13 Newtownmountkennedy BP |
? |
Complete |
|
1991-06-xx |
HQDC |
N6 Jct 8-13 Athlone BP |
9 |
Complete |
|
1991-10-24 |
M |
M11 Jct 3-6 Bray |
5.5 |
Complete |
|
1992-04-03 |
M 2 |
M8 Jct 18-19 Glanmire |
7.5 |
Complete |
|
1992-11-02 |
HQDC |
N3 M50-Clonee (S Section) |
5.5 |
Complete |
|
1992-11-02 |
M 2 |
M3 M50-Clonee (N Section) |
2.1 |
Complete |
|
1993-06-16 |
M |
M7 Jct 10-12 M7/M9 Newbridge (Naas-Newbridge) |
8 |
Complete |
|
1993-10-xx |
M |
M1 Jct 11-13 Dunleer |
6.5 |
Complete |
|
1994-xx-xx |
HQDC |
N4 Jct 15-17? Mullingar BP |
3 |
Complete |
|
1994-10-24 |
M |
M9 Jct 1-2 M7/M9 Newbridge (Newbridge-Kilcullen) |
6 |
Complete |
|
1994-12-19 |
M |
M4 Jct 5-8 Leixlip-Kilcock |
17.6 |
Complete |
|
1996-12-xx |
M |
M50 Jct 3-6 M1-N3 |
11 |
Complete |
|
1997-05-29 |
M |
M7 Jct 16-18 Portlaoise |
12.5 |
Complete |
|
1998-xx-xx |
M |
M1 Jct 5-7 Balbriggan |
13 |
Complete |
|
1998-xx-xx |
HQDC |
N4 Sligo-Collooney |
7.5 |
Complete |
|
1998-xx-xx |
D3AP |
N7 Jct 1B(?)-4 Rathcoole-Newlands Cross |
5 |
Complete |
|
1999-01-29 |
M 2 |
M11 Jct 20-21 Arklow BP |
6.8 |
Complete |
|
1999-05-21 |
HQDC |
N25 Jack Lynch Tunnel |
12 |
Complete |
|
2001-01-26 |
M |
M1 Jct 13-16 Dunleer-Dundalk |
16 |
Complete |
|
2001-04-20 |
D2AP |
N20 Blackpool BP |
2.5 |
Complete |
|
2001-07-12 |
M 2 |
M20 Patrickswell to Limerick |
9.5 |
Complete |
|
2001-07-31 |
M |
M50 Jct 11-13 N81-Ballinteer |
9 |
Complete |
|
2002-09-30 |
M 2 |
M18 Jct 10-11 Newmarket on Fergus BP |
6 |
Complete |
|
2003-02-03 |
M |
M4 Jct 6 Celbridge |
0 |
Complete |
|
2003-06-09 |
M |
M1 Jct 7-11 Drogheda |
22 |
Complete |
|
2003-06-28 |
M |
M1 Jct 2-5 Airport-Balbriggan |
16 |
Complete |
|
2003-09-12 |
M 2 |
M8 Jct 17-18 Watergrasshill |
10 |
Complete |
|
2003-10-22 |
D2AP |
N11 Jct 8-10 Glen of the Downs |
5.5 |
Complete |
|
2003-11-07 |
M 2 |
M18 Jct 9-10 Hurler's Cross (N of N19) |
3.6 |
Complete |
|
2003-11-07 |
HQDC |
N18 Jct 8-9 Hurler's Cross (S of N19) |
3.1 |
Complete |
|
2003-12-08 |
M |
M7 Jct 12-14 Kildare |
12 |
Complete |
|
2004-05-31 |
M 2 |
M7 Jct 28-30 Limerick BP Ph.1 |
10 |
Complete |
|
2004-09-27 |
D2AP |
N11 Jct 13-14 Rathnew / Ashford Bypass (N&S Sections) |
5.7 |
Complete |
|
2004-09-27 |
M 2 |
N11 Jct 14-17 Rathnew / Ashford Bypass (Central Section) |
8 |
Complete |
|
2004-09-20 |
HQDC |
N22 Ballincollig Bypass |
11.7 |
Complete |
|
2004-10-11 |
M 1 |
M8 Jct 7-9 Cashel BP |
7 |
Complete |
|
2004-11-08 |
M |
M7 Jct 14-16 Monasterevin |
17 |
Complete |
|
2005-06-30 |
M |
M50 Jct 13-17 Ballinteer-M11 |
11.4 |
Complete |
|
2005-07 |
M 2 |
M4 Jct 12-13 McNeads Bridge to Kinnegad |
6.8 |
Complete |
|
2005-09-26 |
M |
M1 Jct 16-18 Dundalk |
11 |
Complete |
|
2005-10 |
M |
M50 Jct 15 Carrickmines |
0 |
Complete |
|
2005-12-12 |
M |
M4 Jct 8-12 Kilcock-Kinnegad |
36.8 |
Complete |
|
2005-12-12 |
M |
M6 Jct 1-2 M4 Kilcock-Kinnegad (M6 section) |
1 |
Complete |
|
2006-01 |
M |
M1 Jct 3 Drynam |
0 |
Complete |
|
2006-05-24 |
HQDC |
N2 Ashbourne BP - M50 (S Section) |
4 |
Complete |
|
2006-05-24 |
M 2 |
N2 Ashbourne BP - M50 (N Section) |
13 |
Complete |
|
2006-08-15 |
D3AP |
N7 Jct 4-9 Rathcoole-Naas |
15 |
Complete |
|
2006-10-02 |
M |
M8 Jct 14-17 Fermoy |
18 |
Complete |
|
2006-10 |
HQDC |
N25 Kinsale Rd GS |
3 |
Complete |
|
2006-12-05 |
M 1 |
M6 Jct 2-4 Kinnegad-Kilbeggan (Kinnegad-Tyrellspass) |
19 |
Complete |
|
2006-12-20 |
M |
M50 Jct 1-2 Dublin Port Tunnel |
6 |
Complete |
|
2007-01-26 |
M 2 |
M18 Jct 11-14 Ennis BP |
14 |
Complete |
|
2007-05-16 |
M 1 |
M6 Jct 4-5 Kinnegad-Kilbeggan (Tyrellspass-Kilbeggan) |
9 |
Complete |
|
2007-07-04 |
M 2 |
M11 Jct 22-24 Arklow Gorey Bypass (Gorey BP) |
13.5 |
Complete |
|
2007-08-02 |
HQDC |
N1 Jct 18-20 Dundalk-Newry |
10 |
Complete |
|
2007-09-05 |
M 2 |
M11 Jct 21-22 Arklow Gorey Bypass (Gorey-Arklow) |
9.5 |
Complete |
|
2007-10-15 |
M 1 |
M8 Jct 9-10 Cashel-Mitchelstown (Cashel-Cahir) |
12 |
Complete |
|
2008-03 |
HQDC |
N11 Jct 11 Kilpeddar/Delgany Jct |
0 |
Complete |
|
2008-05-29 |
M 1 |
M9 Jct 4-6 Carlow BP |
19 |
Complete |
|
2008-07-16 |
M 1 |
M6 Jct 5-8 Kilbeggan-Athlone |
28 |
Complete |
|
2008-07-25 |
M 1 |
M8 Jct 10-12 Cashel-Mitchelstown (Cahir-Mitchelstown) |
28 |
Complete |
|
2008-12-08 |
M |
M8 Old N8-Jct 4-7 Cullahill-Urlingford-Cashel |
40 |
Complete |
|
2009-05-25 |
M |
M8 Jct 12-14 Mitchelstown-Fermoy |
16 |
Complete |
|
2009-07-06 |
D3AP |
N4 Jct 1-5 M50-Leixlip |
5.5 |
Complete |
|
2009-07-23 |
M 2 |
M6 Jct 13-14 Athlone-Ballinasloe |
17 |
Complete |
|
2009-10-19 |
HQDC |
N25 Waterford BP |
17.8 |
Complete |
|
2009-12-17 |
M |
M7 Jct 24-26 Nenagh-Limerick (Nenagh BP) |
9.5 |
Complete |
|
2009-12-18 |
HQDC |
N6 Jct 19-20-Old N6 Ballinasloe-Galway |
5 |
Complete |
|
2009-12-18 |
M 2 |
M6 Jct 14-19 Ballinasloe-Galway |
51 |
Complete |
|
2009-12-21 |
M |
M9 Jct 2-4 Kilcullen-Carlow |
27 |
Complete |
|
2010-03-22 |
M 2 |
M9 Jct 9-12 Kilkenny-Waterford |
34 |
Complete |
|
2010-04-01 |
M |
M7 J26-27 Nenagh-Limerick (Birdhill-Nenagh) |
16.6 |
Complete |
|
2010-05-28 |
M |
M8 Jct 1-3-Old N8 M7/M8 Portlaoise (Aghaboe-Cullahill) |
14 |
Complete |
|
2010-05-28 |
M |
M7 Jct 18-21 M7/M8 Portlaoise (Portlaoise-Mountrath) |
26 |
Complete |
|
2010-06-04 |
M 2 |
M3 Clonee/North of Kells (Part 1) |
2.7 |
Complete |
|
2010-06-04 |
M |
M3 Clonee/North of Kells (Part 2) |
43 |
Complete |
|
2010-06-04 |
D2AP |
M3 Clonee/North of Kells (Part 3) |
12.6 |
Complete |
|
2010-07-27 |
HQDC |
N18 Jct 1-4 Limerick BP Ph.2 |
10 |
Complete |
|
2010-09-01 |
M |
M50 Jct 3-14 Widening and Interchange Upgrade |
0 |
Complete |
|
2010-09-09 |
M 2 |
M9 Jct 6-9 Carlow-Kilkenny |
30 |
Complete |
|
2010-09-28 |
M |
M7 J27-28 Nenagh-Limerick (Limerick-Birdhill) |
11.9 |
Complete |
|
2010-11-12 |
M 2 |
M18 Jct 14-16 Gort to Crusheen |
22 |
Complete |
|
2010-12-22 |
M |
M7 Jct 21-24 Castletown-Nenagh |
36 |
Complete |
|
2011-06-17 |
M |
M1 Jct 2-3 Airport-Drinan Widening from 4 to 6 Lanes |
2 |
Complete |
|
2012-11-30 |
M |
M1 Jct 3-4 Drinan-Lissenhall Widening from 4 to 6 Lanes |
4 |
Construction |
|
2012-12 |
HQDC |
N4 Jct 14 The Downs |
5 |
Construction |
|
2013-04 |
D2AP |
N22/N69/N70 Tralee Bypass |
8 |
Construction |
|
2013-07 |
HQDC |
N25 Bandon/Sarsfield Rds Grade Separation |
3 |
Construction |
|
2013-12 |
HQDC |
N7 Jct 1B(?) Newlands Cross |
0 |
Tender |
|
2013-12 |
SC |
N5 Ballaghdereen Bypass |
13.5 |
Tender |
|
2014-06 |
M |
M11 Jct 17-20 Arklow to Rathnew |
16.4 |
Tender |
|
2015-01 |
M 2 |
M17/M18 Oranmore-Galway-Tuam |
53.4 |
Tender |
|
2015-01 |
D2AP |
N17 Tuam Bypass |
4.2 |
Tender |
|
2016 |
HQDC |
N8 Jct 19 Dunkettle Int Upgrade |
0 |
Preliminary Design |
|
2017 |
HQDC |
N25 New Ross Bypass |
3.6 |
Approved |
|
2017 |
D2AP |
N25 New Ross Bypass |
10 |
Approved |
| 2017 |
HQDC |
N22 Cork Northern Ring Road (M8-M20) |
10.4 |
Preliminary Design |
| 2017 |
M |
M11 Jct 24-26 Enniscorthy Bypass |
27 |
Approved |
|
2017 |
M |
M20 Limerick-Cork (Southern Section) |
48 |
Preliminary Design |
| 2018 |
D2AP |
N21 Adare Bypass |
8 |
Preliminary Design |
|
2018 |
M |
M20 Limerick-Cork (Northern Section) |
48 |
Preliminary Design |
| 2020 |
D2AP ? |
N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom |
21.5 |
Awaiting Approval |
2020 |
HQDC ? |
N4 Mullingar - Longford - Rooskey |
50 |
Constraints Study |
|
2020 |
HQDC |
N6 Jct 20-22 Galway City Outer BP |
9.4 |
Suspended |
|
2020 |
D2AP |
N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour |
35 |
Awaiting Approval |
|
2020 |
HQDC ? |
N28 Ringaskiddy to Cork (N Section) |
11 |
Suspended |
|
2020 |
D2AP ? |
N28 Ringaskiddy to Cork (S Section) |
2 |
Suspended |
|
|
D2AP |
N17 Collooney to Tobercurry |
14 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
D2AP |
N15 Ballybofey / Stranorlar Bypass |
14.9 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
M |
M40? Leinster Outer Orbital Road |
74 |
Suspended |
|
|
HQDC |
N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton |
4.7 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
D2AP |
N17 Tuam to Claremorris |
23 |
Constraints Study |
|
|
D2AP |
N17 Tobercurry BP to Knock BP Ph 1 |
25.7 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
D2AP |
N17 Tobercurry BP (Tobercurry to Charlestown) |
10.2 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
D2AP ? |
N25 Midleton to Youghal |
18 |
Suspended |
|
|
D2AP ? |
N25 Dungarvan Bypass |
13.2 |
Route Selection |
|
|
D2AP ? |
N25 Waterford to Glenmore |
11 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
D2AP |
N15 Lifford to Stranorlar |
17 |
Preliminary Design |
|
|
D2AP |
N15 Sligo to County Boundary (N Section) |
20 |
Route Selection |
|
|
HQDC |
N15 Sligo to County Boundary (S Section) |
6 |
Route Selection |
|
|
M |
M50 Eastern Bypass |
13 |
Suspended |
|
|
D2AP/SC |
N81 Tallaght to Hollywood Cross |
27 |
Route Selection |
|
HQDC |
N22? Cork Northern Ring Road (M20-Ballincollig) |
9.6 |
Suspended |
|
Notes:
1 Redesignated motorway on 2008-09-24.
2 Redesignated motorway on 2009-08-28.
Redesigated schemes either opened as dual carriageway or were specified as dual during the planning and/or construction phase.
TRAFFIC COUNTS
Traffic Count graphs for all motorways where data is available.
Count data is pulled from the NRA's site.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
| M | Motorway |
| HQDC | High Quality Dual Carriageway |
| D2AP/D3AP | All Purpose Dual Carriageway with 2 or 3 lanes each way |
Some notes on terminology and motorway designation in Ireland.
MOTORWAY COMPLETED : YEAR BY YEAR
These are calculated by summing all projects completed that year. Some projects were completed in a particular year, but were only designated motorway some time later. They are listed under the year they became motorways. Completions in the future are estimates based on roads in the pipeline, as well as dual carriageways likely to be redesignated motorways in the future. The 2020 figure may be higher.
| Year | Km that year | Total km | Notes |
| 1983 | 7 | 7 | |
| 1985 | 5.5 | 12.5 | |
| 1990 | 11.8 | 24.3 | |
| 1991 | 5.5 | 29.8 | |
| 1992 | 0 | 29.8 | |
| 1993 | 14.5 | 44.3 | |
| 1994 | 23.6 | 67.9 | |
| 1995 | 0 | 67.9 | |
| 1996 | 11 | 78.9 | |
| 1997 | 12.5 | 91.4 | |
| 1998 | 13 | 104.4 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 104.4 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 104.4 | |
| 2001 | 25 | 129.4 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 129.4 | |
| 2003 | 49.3 | 178.7 | Includes a 0.7 km downgrade |
| 2004 | 17 | 195.7 | |
| 2005 | 60.2 | 255.9 | |
| 2006 | 22.9 | 278.8 | Includes a 1.1km downgrade |
| 2007 | 0 | 278.8 | |
| 2008 | 162 | 440.8 | Includes 47km of redesignations |
| 2009 | 240.8 | 681.6 | Includes 120.3km of redesignations |
| 2010 | 236.2 | 917.8 | |
| 2011 | 0 | 917.8 | |
| 2012 | 0 | 917.8 | |
| Estimates: | |||
| 2013 | 16.4 | 933.6 | |
| 2014 | 53.4 | 987 | |
| 2015 | 75 | 1062 | |
| By 2020 | 135 | 1197 | |
