M3 Opens Well Ahead Of Schedule

The 60km M3 Motorway is to be officially opened today by the Minster for Transport Noel Dempsey almost two months ahead of schedule.

Costing €1 billion, the M3 starts at Clonee and continues through County Meath up to north of Kells, close to the Cavan border. The National Road Authority (NRA) said that by bypassing Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells, the new motorway has the potential to cut an hour or more off peak-time journeys between Co Cavan and Dublin.

The project was delivered in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the National Roads Authority working with Meath Co Council and Eurolink Motorway Operations Ltd who have designed, built and financed the Motorway and will operate it. The €1 billion project was financed by the private sector, the Exchequer under the National Development Plan and Transport 21, and the European Union Regional Development Fund.

Opening the Motorway this morning, Minister Dempsey said: “The M3 is one of the biggest road projects to open in Europe this year. Opening ahead of schedule, it marks another major achievement in the Government’s delivery of the most ambitious road programme in our history. Above all, it will improve the quality of life for the people who travel on the M3 or who live in the towns that are now bypassed.”

There are two Toll Plazas; one at Pace, between Dunshaughlin and Clonee, and one at Grange, between Navan and Kells. The toll for cars at each tolling barrier will be €1.30, to be paid by tolling tag, pre-paid Trip Card, cash or credit card.

Cllr William Carey of Meath Co Council said the opening of the M3 demonstrates that Meath and the towns and villages in Co Meath are open for business and ready to become centres that attract jobs.

"The opening of the M3 means a welcome to shorter commuting times, better access for business and tourism and better quality of life which are immediate tangible benefit for people who live and or work in Meath and adjoining areas,” he said.

(DW/GK)