As part of the mid-term review of the Operational Programme on Peripherality 1989-1993, the provision of a new bridge over the River Boyne at Slane was deferred as an alternative route for long distance N2 traffic will be provided by the Ardee/Dunleer link which will form part of the Dunleer/Dundalk Motorway project. The motorway scheme for this project was recently submitted to me for determination and, subject to the statutory procedures being satisfactorily completed, construction of the project is scheduled to start in 1994.