The Government has announced a €1.68 billion investment in the National Roads Programme for this year and said some 168km of road building will start in 2008.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and chairman of the National Roads Authority Peter Malone unveiled the plan at Government Buildings today.
Some 434 projects will be funded under the programme.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey
Work will begin on the final four outstanding projects that will complete the Major Inter-Urban (MIU) routes.
These are Castletown to Nenagh on the N7; Newlands Cross on the N7; Carlow to Knocktopher on the N9 and Kilcullen to Carlow on the N9.
The NRA said it is now "on track" to complete the four remaining MIUs by 2010.
Some 100km of roads will be completed this year, including the 29km stretch on the N6 from Kilbeggan to Athlone and the 19km Carlow bypass on the N9.
In Dublin, phases I and III of the M50 upgrade will be completed this year, between the Ballymount and Blanchardstown junctions. Barrier-free electronic tolling will also begin operating on the M50's West-Link toll bridge from August 2008.
The tender process for the construction of the N11 Arklow-to-Rathnew scheme will also start this year. This project is the last remaining link in the N11 Dublin to Gorey route.
The NRA said eight projects are moving forward to the compulsory purchase order (CPO) stage in 2008.
These are: (N4) Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod; (N11) Enniscorthy bypass; (N15) Ballybofey/Stranolar bypass; (N22) Tralee bypass; (N22) Ballyvourney to Macroom; (N25) Carrigtwohill to Midleton; (N56) Mountcharles to Inver and (N85) Ballyconnell inner relief road.
Some €15 million has been allocated towards road safety measures in the roads programme for this year.
"High quality dual carriageways and motorways are proven to be seven times safer than the roads they replace. By opening over 100km of new roads in 2008, we are making a big difference to the safety of our national road network," Mr Dempsey said.
NRA chief executive Fred Barry said that in 2007 the National Roads Authority completed all projects on average approximately six months ahead of schedule.
"The funding announced today will ensure that the pace of the programme is maintained in 2008."