Project Background

The Dundalk Western Bypass (DWB) project is a PPP project involving the construction of 11km of motorway and the operation and maintenance of the M1 Motorway from junction 7 (Gormanstown) in Meath to just short of junction 16 (Ballymascanlon) in Louth. In February 2004 the DWB PPP contract was awarded to Celtic Roads Group Dundalk Ltd.

The contract involves the design, financing and construction of 11km's of motorway to the west of Dundalk together with the operation and maintenance of the total 53km motorway for a period of 30 years. The Dundalk Western Bypass opened 5 months ahead of schedule in April 2004. In 2008 the toll plaza was extended by 2 lanes to cater for the projected increases in traffic demands.

There is a throughput of 30,000 vehicles per day. On average, 20% of this total are HGVs.

North-Link M1 Ltd is the O&M contractor with responsibility for the operation of the Toll plaza along with the maintenance of the 53km of motorway on behalf of the concessionaire CRG. North-Link staff collect the tolls and maintain the road infrastructure to the high standards required under the PPP contact.