Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 September 2018
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when plans will be advanced to provide an orbital outer route beyond the M50 with a view to easing traffic congestion and reducing travel times for commuters and the business sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38012/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
However, I can explain that there was a study prepared on a Leinster outer orbital route back in 2009, which is a route connecting the national routes through the Leinster area. However, the scheme has not progressed past the early study stage. I understand from TII that there are no current plans to progress it further at this point in time.
While the concept of an outer orbital route has not progressed, I would like, however, to advise you that in relation to traffic congestion, the M50 Traffic Flow Optimisation project is currently underway. This project will implement a Variable Speed Limit regime on the M50 Dublin Ring Road to improve its operational efficiency by smoothing traffic flow, improving journey time reliability and reducing the number of secondary traffic collisions. This will be achieved through the setting of mandatory speed limits. One of the expected benefits of these new measures shall be a reduction in the impact of congestion and the level of disruption resulting from incidents on the M50 while enhancing journey time reliability.
In conjunction with TII, officials in my Department are currently working on arrangements to put this project in place.
