Vol. 542 No. 2
393 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the information he has available on the extent to which provision of additional motorway can reduce the number of fatalities on roads by eliminating the risk of head on accidents; if he has satisfied himself with the progress of the extension of the motorway network as provided for in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24276/01]
According to the National Roads Authority, a significant safety dividend will be achieved as a direct consequence of the planned completion of more than 875 kilometres of motorway and high quality dual carriageways by mid-2007 in line with the policy objectives for national roads contained in the national development plan. It is estimated that the better safety record of these roads will result in an annual saving of over 50 lives annually from 2007 onwards.
Good progress is being maintained with the development of the national road network as mandated in the NDP, including on the five key inter-urban routes. A number of important projects have been completed this year, including Dunleer-Dundalk, M1; southern cross route, M50; Croom bypass, N20; Kilmacthomas bypass, N25; and Blackpool bypass, N20. Further projects are expected to open to traffic in 2001, including Pilltown-Fiddown, N24; Claremorris phase 1, N17; Camaross, N25; and Ballycarthy, N21.
