Weekend closures for parts of M50

The western section of the M50 between the Red Cow (N7) and Liffey Valley (N4) junctions is to close overnight this weekend to facilitate the erection of a number of gantries across the motorway, writes Tim O'Brien.

The closures will be staggered with the northbound carriageway closing from 1am to 7am on Saturday. Diversions will be in place taking traffic on to the Fonthill Road.

On Sunday morning from 1am to 7am the southbound carriageway on the same section of motorway will be closed.

The work is part of phase one of the €1 billion M50 improvement scheme which is scheduled to be completed in mid-2008.

Phase one consists of upgrading eight kilometres of the existing dual carriageway between the N4, N7, adding a third lane in each direction as well as a fourth lane linking slip roads at junctions along the route.

The scheme also involves upgrading the junctions to "near freeflow" status. A new bridge over the M50 for the Luas Red Line is being provided to replace the bridge at the Red Cow.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times