Nearly 300km of dual carriageways on 10 national routes are to be reclassified as motorways from today.
The measure will increase speed limits on the roads to 120km/h and ban learner drivers, agricultural vehicles incapable of speeds in excess of 50km/h and small motorcycles with an engine capacity of 50cc or less.
The move to nominate newer roads as motorways follows the similar redesignation of 260km of roads last September with more yet to to be opened.
Among sections of roads that have been reclassified following National Roads Authority recommendations are 13km of the N2 (Kilshane-Ashbourne); 7km of the N4 (Kinnegad-McNead’s Bridge); 20km of the N6 (Athlone-Ballinasloe); 8.5km of the Limerick Southern Ring; about 7km of the N8 (Watergrasshill-Glanmire); and three sections of the N11 (including Ashford-Rathnew and Arklow-Gorey).
Speaking this morning, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the re-desingation would enhance the motorway network.
“This move will create a high degree of uniformity of speed limits across major sections of the national road network and protect this major public investment from inappropriate development," said Mr Dempsey.
The re-designation has been welcomed by AA Roadwatch.