First road to be part-funded by NAMA opens
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has opened the long-awaited N2/N3 link road in west Dublin, the first road project to be funded with assistance from NAMA. The Minister was joined at the launch in Blanchardstown of the €20.55 million project by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan.
“It is particularly significant that this road has been funded with assistance from NAMA, the first time that NAMA has helped to finance a new road project. I want to see more such co-operation between NAMA and road development in the future,” Minister Varadkar said.
“This road is more than just a link between two motorways and an alternative route to and from the airport. It’s about providing vital infrastructure to encourage businesses to settle in the area, and take traffic and heavy vehicles away from other roads. The project also includes off-road bike lanes to encourage more people to cycle.
“It will open up new employment opportunities in Tyrrelstown, Blanchardstown, Clonsilla, Ongar and further afield. I understand that one local employer is already planning to develop a site along the road and create new jobs. I have no doubt that my colleagues in Fingal County Council will do everything to assist potential start-ups and established businesses to set up and grow.”
Work started in September 2011 on the €20.55 million project, which received funding of €6 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. The remainder was sourced by Fingal County Council and NAMA.
The area has been zoned specifically to encourage employment, with zones for science & technology developments, warehousing, light industrial and office accommodation. It is already home to Bristol Myers Squib, IBM and eBay.
The road itself has been designed to be future-proof, with essential infrastructure pre-installed under and alongside the road, so there should be no need for anyone to dig it up again for a very long time.
It commences at Church Road close to Tyrrelstown and joins the N2 at the Cherryhound interchange. Six roundabouts have been constructed along the route to link with existing local roads and provide access points to future development lands.