M50 motorway to Leopardstown to open today

The opening today of Dublin's M50 Motorway as far as Leopardstown in the south of the county marks a milestone.

Although just two kilometres long, the additional motorway is expected to significantly affect the flow of through-traffic across south Co Dublin.

For the first time traffic will have a direct route between the M50 and the N11 towards Wicklow and Wexford, and access will be facilitated between the M50 and Kilgobbin, Ballyogan, Murphystown and Leopardstown.

Previously southbound traffic on the M50 heading for Wicklow, Wexford and the southernmost parts of Co Dublin had to "double back" either through Marlay in Rathfarnham or through Sandyford Industrial Estate and access local roads to complete journeys.

Now traffic heading for Wicklow and points further will be able to use the M50 as far as Leopardstown, moving directly to the N11 at White's Cross.

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council has already made a number of changes to the traffic flow on Leopardstown Road to facilitate the expected increase in traffic between the M50 and the N11.

However, the council will continue to advise traffic from Dún Laoghaire Port to leave the M50 at Ballinteer and access the port via the Ballinteer Road, Dundrum, the Wyckham bypass and Foster Avenue.

The opening is also expected to dramatically reduce through traffic in the Sandyford Industrial Estate where a dedicated link to the Ballinteer interchange has become very congested. This route will remain open.

Today's opening does not include the new Sandyford interchange or a new link road to Kilgobbin. These areas will be accessible via Leopardstown Road.

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council said the completion of the entire M50 is still expected to take place in August next year.

This is however dependent on the outcome of a Supreme Court challenge to national monuments legislation.

The final link on the M50 will provide uninterrupted dual carriageway in a north south direction from south of Rathnew in Co Wicklow to Dundalk, Co Louth, via the N11, M50 and M1.

It will also provide continuous dual carriageway between Rathnew and Clonee, Co Meath, on the N3; Kilcock, Co Kildare, on the N4; south of Portlaoise on the N7 and south of Kilcullen on the M9.