Project Summary

The Dundalk Western Bypass scheme forms part of the strategic north-south road corridor Euroroute E01. Euroroute E01 is part of the Trans-European Road Network. It forms part of the link of the three largest centres of population on the island (Dublin, Belfast, Cork) and provides access to the main commercial seaports and international airports.  The new stretch of road allows motorists to bypass Dundalk, reducing traffic congestion radically and making delays a thing of the past.  It also cuts peak journey times between Northern Ireland, Dundalk, Drogheda and on to Dublin.

The project comprises two main elements:

• the design, construction, and 30 year operation and maintenance of 11km of new motorway, including 7km of new link roads and 12 over and under bridges, and
• the 30 year operation and maintenance of a further 43km of existing motorway from Dundalk southwards towards Gormanston, including a cable-stay bridge over the River Boyne.

The PPP Contract period is 30 years at which time the motorway must be handed back with a residual life expectancy of at least 10 years.

The PPP Contract was awarded to Celtic Roads Group (Dundalk) Ltd. 

The design and construction was undertaken by a joint venture in which BAM Contractors Ltd has a 50% interest and was opened to traffic 5 months ahead fo schedule.

The Celtic Roads Group consortium recoups the design, construction, operational and maintenance costs by collecting road tolls at the plazas to the south of the River Boyne Bridge.  The toll charges are governed by the Toll Bye-Laws for the M1 Motorway and are subject to an agreed payment mechanism shared with the NRA.

Timetable of events

Summary of parties involved in developing the project