Motorways made the country smaller, but controversies have rarely been far away
Sitting in a control room in East Wall in Dublin, Kevin O’Rourke and his team watch on a bank of screens as a car leavingIt could be a breakdown. Everyone holds their breath, hoping the driver stays in the car. However, O’Rourke’s worst fears are realised when the car door opens.
Years into his job as head of network operations with State road builder Transport Infrastructure Ireland , O’Rourke is now seldom surprised at the things people do in cars. Then taoiseach Brian Cowen at the official opening of the final section of the M8 Dublin to Cork motorway in 2010. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh
It is a long way from the days when conversations about roadworks had to be negotiated with any number of the 30-plus local authorities., who is still proud of the motorway projects carried out during his term in office. “Economic development had been held back for two reasons: one, the conflict in the North, and the second our infrastructure was useless,” he says.
“The Spanish had done a great job on their roads programme. We brought them over and we listened to what they did ... and then we got on with it,” says Ahern., has charted the development of Ireland’s roads programme over 40 years. It contributed significantly to the National Development Plan 2000-2006, when Ahern singled out motorways from Dublin to other main cities and the Border for priority.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'It makes you proud to see': The Global Greening initiative turned 10 this week - here's how it startedThe 'Global Greening' initiative turns 10 this week - here's how it all began
Read more »
Man told girl (10) he had killed former partner to ensure she did not reveal abuseCourt told sex abuse happened on trips, in shed and when the girl was sitting on his knee while he was on computer
Read more »
Jennifer Zamparelli will leave role as host of 2fm's Breakfast RepublicDancing with the Stars host Jennifer Zamparelli will leave role as host of RTE 2fm's Breakfast Republic to present her own show JenniferMaguire
Read more »
People waiting over six months for 10 procedures to be seen this yearPatients waiting more than six months for some procedures to be treated this year via IrishTimes
Read more »
Explainer: What happened on Bloody Sunday in 1972?13 people were shot dead by British paratroopers in space of 10 minutes
Read more »
EU urged to balance economic ties with ChinaThe European Commission has set out a 10-point plan for more balanced economic relations with China, urging EU leaders to back its ideas to curb Chinese state-owned enterprises and increase their guard against cyber-security threats.
Read more »