Motorists asked to pay M50 costs

Drivers will be asked to pay at least Eu1.5 billion in tolls to finance the upgrade of the M50 motorway, it emerged on Monday, January 30th.

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said money raised by the extension of tolling across the M50 would be used to pay for a Eu1 billion upgrade of the road and to buy out the interest of National Toll Roads (NTR) in the westlink bridges.
Mr Cullen was speaking as he launched phase one of the M50 upgrade. This will see a five kilometre section from the N7 to the N4 junctions go from two to three lanes in each direction.

It will also involve the rebuilding of the Liffey Valley (N4/M50) junction to "free flow" status without traffic lights or roundabouts.
The Ballymount and Red Cow (N7/M50) interchanges are to be rebuilt with a reduced number of traffic lights and roundabouts at the other interchanges.

Phase two of the scheme will complete the upgrade along 31 kilometres between Sandyford and the M1. The provision of a third lane in each direction and the upgrading of ten interchanges to full or partial free flow status will be included.