Learner drivers who have got used to travelling on the dual carriageway between Athlone and Kinnegad are having to seek alternative routes this week, as the section of road was upgraded to motorway status on Wednesday.
The speed limit on the N6 between Athlone and Kinnegad has now increased from 100kph to 120kph, meaning that drivers holding provisional licences are no longer permitted to drive on the 57 kilometre stretch.
The move means that motorists can now travel all the way from Athlone to Dublin on 114km of continuous motorway, significantly shortening journey times to the capital. It is expected that travel times between Galway and Dublin will be cut by up to an hour and a half by the time the entire N6 inter-urban route is complete in 2010.
A number of other roadways across the country are also to achieve motorway status, it was announced by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey. They are the N9 from Kilcullen to Powerstown; the Castletown to Limerick road, to become the M7; the Cashel bypass which becomes part of the M8; and the Urlingford to Fermoy stretch of road which is to become the M8 when it opens in 2010.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Dempsey said that the redesignation of these roads is aimed at providing a “safer, more efficient road network”.
“The re-designation of these existing high quality dual carriageways to motorway status is aimed at protecting the routes against inappropriate development, including multiple access points, which would have road safety implications and affect the efficiency and service life of the route. It is also intended to enhance safety and operational efficiency on the routes and to shorten journey times by availing, as appropriate, of the design speed of 120kph which usually applies to motorway sections of the national road network,” said the Minister.
Chairman of the National Roads Authority added; "The NRA will continue to deliver a safe and efficient motorway network throughout the country. This is a major step forward and we are very pleased with the Minister’s declaration. The NRA will continue to focus on the completion of the entire inter-urban motorway network due for completion by 2010 as outlined in Transport 21."
