Kildare South Fine Gael TD, Martin Heydon has today (Thursday) said that the awarding of the contract for the three elements of the M7 project which includes the widening to 3 lanes is further progress and secures the timelines on this critical project.
“The awarding of today’s contract with SIAC/Colas JV is a milestone and ensures that the much needed widening works on the M7 can commence and will be completed by Autumn 2019. The contract covers the widening of the M7 to 3 lanes from the Junction 9 (the big ball) to the M7/M9 interchange, the Sallins bypass and the construction of a new interchange at Osberstown near Kerry Group.
“Based on the award of this contract, it is anticipated that the overall project will be completed by Spring 2020 with the M7 anticipated to be completed by Autumn 2019. This scheme represents an overall investment of €110m.
“With the M7 now carrying about 70,000 vehicles per day as the main network connection to Cork, Waterford and Limerick, commuting times for Kildare residents have increased considerably in the past year. The widening of the M7 should help to ease the congestion at busy times in particular and I hope to see progress quickly now that the contact has been awarded.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
The contract covers 3 major elements:
Widening the existing M7 motorway from 2 to 3 lanes for approx. 14km between Junction 9 Naas North and the M7/M9 interchange at junction 11. Two lanes in both directions will be maintained along with emergency lane during M7 upgrade works.
Replacing and relocating the existing ramps at Junction 10 Naas South Newhall West to the main Naas Newbridge dual carriageway, the R445. Also to include the construction of a new interchange at Osberstown between Junctions 9 and 10 which will be designated junction 9a.
The Sallins Bypass which includes approximately 1.7km of new Type 2 Dual Carriageway and 2.0km of single carriageway, together with a 1.2km single carriageway link road from the Bypass to Sallins town centre.
The scheme includes 6 new structures, including two bridges over the River Liffey, a bridge over the Grand Canal, the new Osberstown Interchange bridge over the M7 motorway and a minor road bridge carrying Osberstown Road over the Sallins Bypass. The Sallins Bypass bridge under the main Dublin Cork railway line will be constructed by Irish Rail under a separate but parallel contract.
Traffic Management will be in place along the M7 from junction 9 Naas North to junction 11 M7/M9 at various phases during the term of construction. 2 lanes of traffic will be maintained at all times between 6am and 10pm. For the duration of active construction works there will be a special speed limit in place. An emergency lane will be available through the works at all times.