Wednesday, 16 May 2007 saw the completion of two more national road projects funded under the National Development Plan as part of the Government's investment programme Transport 21.  Transport Minister, Martin Cullen officially opened the N6 Tyrrellspass to Kilbeggan and the N52 Mullingar to Belvedere schemes, both of which have been completed ahead of schedule and within budget.   

The N6 Tyrellspass to Kilbeggan scheme completes Phase I of the Kinnegad to Kilbeggan 28 kms project on the main Dublin to Galway road and bypasses the towns of Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass, while removing over 10,000 vehicles from these towns daily. The Kinnegad to Tyrrellspass section and the N52 realignment section was officially opened in December 2006, one year ahead of schedule.   

The N52 Mullingar to Belvedere project comprises just over 4 kms running from the Mullingar Bypass at Tullanisky and connects to the N52 at Carrick, improving the link with the town of Tullamore and improving the connections between Mullingar and Athlone.  

Speaking in Westmeath, Minister Cullen said: "I am delighted to officially open the N6 Tyrrellspass to Kilbeggan project that is 6 months ahead of schedule.  This project which is part of the East/West Strategic Road Corridor is another major step in the improvement of road infrastructure serving the west of Ireland.  Coupled with the ongoing major road improvements on the N4, this project will greatly improve access to and will have a very positive impact economically and socially on the BMW region.   It will also provide better access to and from airports and ports."  

On the N52 Mullingar to Belvedere project, Minister Cullen said: "This project will have many benefits, including the development of the Midlands region as outlined under the Government's National Spatial Strategy.  In the Midlands Region, Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar are the selected linked Gateways, where two or more strong towns work in partnership to promote economic and social development in their region. The Gateways will offer the opportunity for developing national and regional scale activities and provide alternatives to Dublin. It is essential that the transport infrastructure between the linked Gateway towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar is of a high standard in order to meet the requirements of the National Spatial Strategy. The N52 Mullingar/Belvedere will improve the link with the town of Tullamore (also on the N52) and will similarly benefit connections between Mullingar and Athlone via the N52 and N6.  A key feature of Transport 21, and one which deserves to be highlighted, is the fact that it has been specifically developed to promote more balanced regional development.

Minister Cullen continued: "The opening of this project and the N6 Tyrrellspass to Kilbeggan, together with the many others which are ongoing in every region of the country are the clearest possible evidence of this Government's commitment, under the ambitious framework of the National Development Plan and Transport 21 to the continuing transformation of Ireland's transport infrastructure”.    

Mr Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: "The completion of this scheme on the N6 is another step forward in bringing the West closer to Dublin. The opening of the Tyrellspass to Kilbeggan section completes phase one of the N6 Kinnegad to Athlone scheme and construction is well underway on phase two -Kilbeggan to Athlone. On the Mullingar/Belvedere project, Mr Malone said: "The capital of the Lakelands is now beginning to enjoy the fruits of significant investment from the National Roads Authority towards developing its road network in line with the Government's policy of promoting regional development. This opening forms an important extension of the N52 Mullingar Bypass, which provides an eastern bypass of the town while also providing a link to the booming gateway towns of Tullamore and Athlone”.

ENDS