BAM has signed a public private partnership (PPP) contract with the National Roads Authority, acting as procuring agent for the Department of Transport, for the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the new N7 Newlands Cross free-flow junction and a major element of the N11 road network in Wicklow and Wexford.

BAM will take responsibility under a 25 year concession for the operation and maintenance of the 35km length of the Arklow Bypass and Gorey Bypass from mid-2013 and for the new sections of the N7 and N11 when construction is completed.

The capital value of the project is €282 million and will result in over 1,000 construction jobs. The N7 works comprise the replacement of the existing signalised junction at Newlands Cross with a grade separated junction in which the N7 will be carried over the Belgard Road via a new flyover. This project will facilitate nationwide travel from the North to the South of Ireland without any traffic lights. The PPP also includes the construction of a 16 km dual carriageway on the N11 between the north end of the Arklow Bypass and the southern end of the Ashford Bypass and the construction of two new grade separated interchanges at the Beehive junction and at Jack White’s cross-roads. The N11 works also include the construction of a service area at Ballyellin on the Gorey Bypass approximately 3km south of the Arklow South Interchange.

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The service area includes the construction of an amenity building and fuelling area on the west side of the motorway along with new access ramps and a new bridge over the M11. Various upgrade works will also take place along the existing Arklow and Gorey Bypasses during the construction period. The construction phase will be completed within 28 months of commencement, with works expected to start in May. It is planned to complete construction of the new section of the N7 within 21 months. Speaking at the signing of the contract, Theo Cullinane, BAM Chief Executive said: "The N7/N11 project will significantly improve the road infrastructure along the key gateway regions of Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford and we are pleased to be partnering with the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority on this initiative.

"For the first time ever, motorists will be able to travel the length of the country without having to stop at traffic lights. We must continue to invest in our infrastructure so that we are well-positioned to emerge from the downturn in a competitive position and given the current fiscal constraints on Irish government finances, the PPP model is clearly the most effective model to finance the projects. BAM is proud to be investing in and developing another critical element of Ireland’s infrastructure, which follows our commencement last year of eight schools under a PPP for the Department of Education and Skills."

(CD)