27/01/2006

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Mayor Therese Ridge on behalf of South Dublin County Council will attend the Official sod turning for the commencement of the  M50 Improvements Phase 1 in the presence of the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen TD. on Monday  30th January 2006 at 2pm in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.(Adjacent to Marks and Spencers purple car park.)

Press Briefing Note on PHASE 1 Contract;

1. GENERAL BACKGROUND;
The overall M50 Upgrade Scheme consists of widening of 31km to three lanes in each direction of the Motorway between the M1 Interchange and Sandyford Interchange and upgrading of 10 Interchanges along this section. An additional auxiliary/weaving lane in each direction will also be provided between the M1 Interchange and Sandyford Interchange.
The Scheme will increase the capacity of the M50 Motorway, enabling all road users including buses, taxis, commercial vehicles and private cars to benefit from significantly reduced traffic congestion and increased average traffic speeds both on and approaching the M50.

2. PHASE 1 CONTRACT (Design & Build);
The overall Scheme will be constructed in a number of discrete Phases. The scope of the Phase 1 Contract consists of the widening of the Motorway between the N4 Interchange and Ballymount Interchange and the upgrading of the N4, N7 and Ballymount Interchanges. Commencement of works is scheduled for Spring 2006 and Completion is scheduled for Spring 2008.

3. TRAFFIC SAFETY & CONTROL;
Some degree of traffic disruption will inevitably arise during the construction of the Scheme. However a considerable amount of effort has already been expended whilst preparing the Contract Provisions to mitigate the impact of the works on existing traffic flows and a wide range of Traffic Safety & Management measures have been incorporated into the Contract Requirements to ensure safety and minimize the impact of construction activities. A full-time Traffic Safety & Control Officer will be appointed for this express purpose. Additionally the Motorway will have two lanes in each direction during normal business hours and AM/PM peak times.

4. CONTRACTOR;
The Contractor for PHASE 1 is the SIAC-Ferrovial M50 Joint Venture which is a Partnership between the well-established Irish Company SIAC Construction Ltd and the major Spanish Construction Company Ferrovial Agroman S.A.

The SIAC-Ferrovial partnership recently completed the major 39 km Kinegad-Enfield-Kilcock PPP Motorway Project ahead of scheduled completion date. The Partnership is currently constructing the A1-N1 Dundalk to Newry Cross-Border Project which consists of a total 15km of Motorway.

For further information please contact Frank Coffey SDCC. At 4149000