MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey is to open a €216 million bypass of Carlow town this afternoon. The 18.5km dual- carriageway will ultimately form a central piece of the new Dublin to Waterford highway, due for completion in 2010.
The Carlow bypass leaves the existing N9 at Powerstown, near the Carlow-Kildare border, and travels in a southeasterly direction passing east of Paletine, Co Carlow, turning south to cross the N80 at Rathcrogue and turning southwest to rejoin the N9 at Prumplestown, Co Kildare.
The dual-carriageway includes three multi-level junctions at Powerstown (N9), Rathcrogue (N80) and Prumplestown (N9), 11 road bridges, a river crossing, a crossing of the Dublin to Waterford railway line and a pedestrian and cyclist underpass at Rathcrogue.
The contractor is Ascon, and work began in July 2006.
Work is now taking place on two linking sections of the N9 to the north and south of the Carlow bypass. The 28km Kilcullen to Carlow stretch being built by Roadbridge is due to open in late 2010.
The section south of the Carlow bypass, from Prumplestown to Knocktopher, Co Kilkenny, involves 40km of new dual-carriageway alongside a 6.5km spur to serve Kilkenny city. This is also scheduled to open in late 2010.
Today’s opening ceremony takes place at the Rathcrogue interchange at 3.30pm, and the road is to open immediately afterwards.
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