The final go-ahead for the first phase of a major motorway project in Co Louth was announced yesterday by the National Roads Authority.
A £51 million contract for the Dunleer/Dundalk motorway scheme has been awarded to Graham Uniform, a consortium comprising two companies, John Graham (Dromore) Ltd and Uniform Construction Ltd.
The scheme, which involves the construction of 16 kilometres of dual two-lane motorway, 3.5km of single four-lane carriageway and the construction of 20 bridges, is the longest road project to be constructed in Ireland under one contract.
It will extend from the northern end of the recently completed Dunleer by-pass to south of Dundalk. Phase one is expected to be completed in 2001 with phase two, also known as the Dundalk western by-pass, to be undertaken after 1999.