NRA questions efficiency of toll bridges on Westlink

The National Roads Authority (NRA) has questioned the performance of the Westlink toll bridge on the M50 and has met the National Toll Roads company (NTR) to seek a reduction in delays.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport heard yesterday that while, the toll bridge at Drogheda had 10 booths to cater for 20,000 vehicles a day, the Westlink toll bridge had just 14 booths to cater for up to 90,000 vehicles a day. A new bridge was recently added to the Westlink but the NRA is still concerned about the delays.

Mr Michael Egan, the NRA's corporate affairs spokesman, told the committee that the NRA was in discussions with the NTR to improve the level of service at peak hours. The use of electronic tolling and a designated lane for cars using this facility was being examined, he said.

The NRA had planned "rigorous and onerous" performance requirements for new toll bridges but these could not be applied to old contracts, Mr Egan said. Under new plans, if more than six vehicles were waiting at a booth, the barrier would automatically lift to let them through, to keep traffic moving.

Mr Egan was outlining the NRA's plans to upgrade the M50, starting with major alterations to the Red Cow roundabout and a third motorway lane between the Palmerstown junction (at the Liffey Valley Centre) to the Red Cow roundabout.

The €316 million plan will eventually include extending the third motorway lane to Dublin Airport, as well as the significant upgrading of the Palmerstown interchange, with the incorporation of flyovers and the removal of traffic lights.

Last week, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said he would make a decision on the plan within two weeks. If it gets the go-ahead, work on the Red Cow roundabout could begin in March 2005 and be completed within two years.