REGIONAL AUTHORITY WELCOMES OPENING OF THE FINAL SECTION OF M9 WATERFORD-DUBLIN MOTORWAY

“The opening of the final section of the M9 motorway from Dublin to Waterford is a tremendous development for the South-East region”, so stated Cllr. John Cummins, Cathaoirleach of the South-East Regional Authority, following the official opening today of the final section of the M9, a 40km link between Carlow and Knocktopher, Co. Kilkenny, by the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D.

“The completed M9 motorway is absolutely crucial to the current and future economic, social and cultural development of the region”, outlined Cllr. Cummins. “The Regional Authority had consistently over a long period of time lobbied the Government and the national agencies charged with construction of road infrastructure for its development and so we are particularly delighted to see its completion”.

“The M9 motorway will significantly improve access to strategic regional services such as Belview Port, the Institutes of Technology in Waterford and Carlow, Waterford Regional Airport and a number of key tourist destinations in the region”, added Cllr. Cummins.

The Regional Authority has, since its establishment in 1994, consistently identified and articulated the region’s overall development needs and investment priorities to Government and the enterprise support agencies.

“The road transportation links of the other key economic corridors in the region, including the M11/N11 Wexford-Dublin route, the N24 Waterford-Limerick corridor and the N25 Rosslare-Cork route, need to be improved and developed and it is critically important for the economic well-being of the region that these routes be prioritised now by the National Roads Authority and Minister for Transport for immediate upgrading in the post-2010 Roads Programme”, stated Cllr. Cummins.

ENDS          09.09.2010
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Further information from:
- Cllr. John Cummins, Cathaoirleach, South-East Regional Authority - (087) 9205729
- Mr. Thomas Byrne, Director, South-East Regional Authority - (052) 6126200



Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:00:28 BST