Chairman of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Deputy Frank Fahey has called for the improved Galway to Dublin road to be officially designated as a motorway.

Frank Fahey.

According to Deputy Fahey, this would enable road users to travel from the outskirts of Dublin to Galway in just over two hours.

"The improved dual carriageways on the road to Dublin already improves journey time for motorists and has increased the safety of travellers. As the road is of such high quality, it makes sense to designate Kilbeggan to Athlone and Kilbeggan to Kinnegad sections of the road as motorway. It will help to make the journey and speed limits more consistent, which can only increase driver safety," he said

The National Roads Authority (NRA) has applied to the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey for designations to cover the Athlone bypass and the Athlone to Galway section, both of which are currently under construction.

"I am actively pursuing the NRA's application for the designation of roadway between Galway to Athlone and I am hopeful of a favourable outcome. Should it be successful, it will enable a journey time of just over two hours from Galway to Dublin, which will be to the benefit of all users."

The new section of road was approved and constructed as a high quality dual carriageway, as was the section immediately to the east between Kilbeggan and Kinnegad. The M6/M4 motorway commences at the latter and continues to the end of the Leixlip Bypass on the approach to Dublin.

According to Deputy Fahey, the sections of road concerned and the other high quality dual carriageways on the network are similar in appearance, design, design speed (generally 120km/ph) and other features, such as grade-separated junctions, to the motorway sections of the national road network.

Under the terms of the Roads Act, 2007, the Minister has designated the Kilbeggan to Athlone and Kilbeggan to Kinnegad sections of road as motorways, and this will come into effect on Wednesday 24 September.

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