AFTER a long wait, the final stretch of the M7 from Limerick to Dublin opened to motorists this Wednesday afternoon with the project costing a total of €8 billion.
It was expected that the opening would be further delayed when workers with subcontractor KC Engineering went on strike as the road neared completion over outstanding pay issues.
The matter was resolved and Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey was due to officially open the road. However, the ceremony was abandoned due to the severe weather conditions.
The motorway is the final part of the Government’s €18 billion plan to link Irish cities to Dublin.
Up to 13,500 vehicles are expected to use the road each day, with a further reduction of 10 minutes in journey times between Limerick and Dublin as Toomevara, Moneygall and Roscrea are bypassed.
Minister Dempsey set out the plans for the road network ten years ago.
“We now have 750km of world standard motorways linking Dublin to the Border, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford”, said the minister.
“The NRA estimates the direct benefits of the motorway network at €24 billion, based on net present value, an estimate of all benefits now and into the future minus the cost”.
