Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, this afternoon (Tuesday) officially opened the N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade scheme.

The junction is one of the busiest in the country with approximately 80,000 vehicles passing through each day.  The opening today means the removal of the last remaining traffic light between Cork and Belfast.

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Minister Donohoe said: ‘I am very pleased to officially open my first PPP road scheme as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport here at Newlands Cross today. The Newlands Cross junction upgrade is open before schedule and it’s an exciting development for regular commuters, for motorists, for hauliers and for anyone who remembers the frustrating delays and frequent tailbacks that used to occur here at Newlands Cross.  The new junction will now also connect our major cities, providing a continuous free flowing route between the M50 and the cities of Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford’.

“The Newland Cross project is part of the €282m N7/N11Arklow to Rathnew PPP Scheme.  This project was the first PPP road project to be signed since 2007.  The opening today is an important signal of our economic recovery and I hope it will significantly assist economic activity by improving connectivity and journey times for businesses.”

Fred Barry, CEO of the National Roads Authority said: ‘We are very pleased with the progress made to date on this scheme and this new flyover should provide much need relief for daily road users. I also like recognise and thank the public for their on-going patience during construction of this project.”

The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr. Fintan Warfield said: ‘This Council is very proud to be associated with the N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade Scheme which delivers this grade separation of Newlands Cross. The added benefit of the project is that it will greatly reduce community severance between the historic areas of Clondalkin and Tallaght as well as reducing journey time to the city centre for all. In particular, I would like to thank the commuting public, the local residents and local businesses for their perseverance through the construction stage and believe that the outcome of the project will deliver beyond all expectations’.

Minister Donohoe concluded: ‘Our road network is an important asset for economic growth and preserving this important asset is a key driver for growth and development as the economy recovers. I look forward to opening the final phases of this PPP scheme, the N11 Arklow to Rathnew project before the end of 2015’.