The M3 motorway linking Dublin with the North East, is one of the most expensive road-building projects in the Republic, it has emerged today.

The Independent has revealed this morning that almost €120 million has been spent on procuring land to build the controversial carriageway.

Meath County Council is buying the land on behalf of the National Roads Authority and said it has spent €117 million buying 1,700 acres for the 47km motorway.

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Landowners are said to have received an average of €69,000 per acre.

Campaigners against the M3 claim that construction work on a contentious section between Dunshaughlin and Navan, near the Hill of Tara, may have already damaged a national monument.

However, Environment Minister John Gormley has insisted that the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara in Co Meath poses no threat to the Rath Lugh monument.

The M3 is expected to open in July 2010 at a final building cost of €800m and €1bn.

It is forecast that 23,000 vehicles will use the dual carriageway everyday, bringing in toll payments of at least €13m a year.

(VB/JM)