MidLink M7/M8 Limited, M7/M8 Toll Plaza, Fatharnagh, Mountrath, Co. Laois +353 (0) 57 8694900 info@midlink.ie

01/06/2010 - DUBLIN TO CORK MOTORWAY OPENS TODAY WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CUT 45 MINUTES OFF PEAK-TIME JOURNEYS

An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, TD, opened the final section of the M8 Dublin to Cork motorway The new wishbone-shaped 41km M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill / Castletown PPP Motorway Scheme was completed four months ahead of schedule in a PPP partnership between the National Roads Authority and Celtic Roads Group (Portlaoise) Ltd. It will cut up to 45 minutes off the Dublin to Cork journey at peak times as it provides a motorway / dual carriageway link between Dublin and Cork, of which 218km or 91% is motorway. It is also a significant section of the M7 motorway link between Dublin and Limerick; it is anticipated that the remaining two sections of the M7 towards Limerick will be completed by the end of this year.

Opening the new Motorway An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. said “Improving road infrastructure between and within regions will contribute towards the competitiveness of the area and foster more balanced regional development. In particular, the resulting safer and improved journey times will have a very positive impact on the economy by making the Midlands, South West and Midwest more accessible and attractive for foreign inward investment.”

The 41km M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill / Castletown PPP Motorway Scheme starts at the western end of the existing Portlaoise Bypass and initially travels in a south-westerly direction. After travelling for 17km along the scheme the M7/M8 motorway to motorway interchange at Aghaboe takes the road in two separate directions; the 10km M7 section continues to the west towards Borris-in-Ossory, while the M8 proceeds 14km to the south to tie into the existing M8 to Cork, just south of Cullahill.

The M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill / Castletown PPP Motorway Scheme will;
• Cut up to 45 minutes off the Dublin to Cork journey at peak times
• Reduce traffic congestion and improve quality of life and safety by bypassing six towns - Abbeyleix, Durrow and
  Cullahill on the M8 and in Mountrath, Borris-in-Ossory and Castletown on the M7
• Provide 41km of motorway in each direction - 17km M7/M8 for all traffic; another 10km for M7 traffic only, and an
  additional 14km for M8 traffic only
• Initially cater for 15,000 vehicles per day, increasing to 18,000 over the coming months
• Contributed towards safer journeys
• Provide a high quality and reliable road transport network between regions and connect the Midlands, South and Midwest to Dublin, the East and the North

The M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill / Castletown Motorway Scheme is a PPP Project and is tolled. The toll plaza is located at Fatharnagh near Portlaoise. The toll for cars will be €1.80, to be paid by tolling tag, pre-paid Trip Card, cash or credit card. For all tolling details visit the Tolling Information Page and to compare toll tag operators and their prices visit www.tagcompare.ie