New dual carriageway to M3 interchange opens in Navan

Journey times between Navan and Athboy have been cut and traffic congestion in Navan eased with the official opening last Friday of two new roads in the town. The Navan Inner Relief Road, which links the Kells and Athboy roads, and a new 4km stretch of dual carriageway out of Navan towards Athboy, were officially opened by Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey. The new stretch of dual carriageway is part of the M3 motorway project which is now at an advanced stage of construction. It forms part of the N51 which connects the north and west of Navan to the Athboy Road interchange on the M3. Minister Dempsey said the benefits of the relief road for Navan would be significant. 'Over 7,000 vehicles will be re-routed away from the town centre onto the N51 from Delvin to Drogheda, with expected journey time savings along this route of up to 20 minutes at peak times,' he said. 'I am especially pleased to announce the opening of the new link road connecting the north and west of Navan to the future M3 Motorway interchange on the Athboy Road. The link road is opening to traffic well ahead of the schedule completion date of mid-2010 for the full M3 Motorway. It provides road-users with a safer alternative to a section of the existing national secondary road running between Navan and Athboy. 'By providing these two new stretches of road, we have achieved a number of important targets: improved road safety, improved access to Navan town and enhanced the predictability of journey times.' Fred Barry, CEO of the National Roads Authority (NRA), said access was the key to strong business and tourism sectors. 'Continued investment in transport infrastructure, even in these difficult times, is vital to our future competitiveness. As a busy centre of commerce and tourism, Navan will directly benefit from the completion of these new roads by allowing for a more efficient distribution of national and regional traffic around the town.' The NRA chairman also said: 'It will create a safer and more pleasant environment for locals and visitors by removing traffic congestion from the town centre and industry and commerce will repeat the benefits with better transportation options. The link to the M3 motorway is opening well ahead of schedule due to the excellent progress made by SIAC Ferrovial Agroman, the construction contractor for the M3 Motorway project.' Meath County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Liz MccCormack, said the new road projects were a huge investment for Meath and said she had seen during her time in office a co-ordinated improvement in the road network. The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons, said it was a momentous day for Navan and said the new inner relief road would take a substantial amount of traffic away from Boreen Keel. Meath County manager Tom Dowling said the new inner relief road had been built with pedestrians and cyclists in mind and both new roads were a step closer to sustainable transport facilities. Navan Parish Administrator, Fr Gerry McCormack, and the Church of Ireland Rector of Navan, Rev John Clarke, blessed both the new roads. The Navan Inner Relief Road runs west of Navan town and connects the N3 Kells Road to the N51 Athboy Road. The 1km project, which was constructed by Regan Civil Engineering Ltd, includes two railway bridges, one T-type junction and two roundabouts. The €15.628m scheme was funded under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.