The opening of the N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade scheme to traffic today (20 November) means the removal of the final remaining traffic lights between Cork and Belfast. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, officially opened the N7 Newland’s Cross Upgrade Scheme. With approximately 80,000 vehicles passing through the junction daily, it is regarded as one of the busiest junctions in the country. The road now offers an important free flowing link between the M50 and Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford. Minister Donohoe said: “The Newlands Cross junction upgrade is open before schedule and it’s an exciting development for regular commuters, for motorists, for hauliers and for anyone who remembers the frustrating delays and frequent tailbacks that used to occur here at Newlands Cross.” In what is seen as a signal of the country’s economic recovery, as part of the €282 million N7/N11 Arklow to Rathnew public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, this project was the first PPP road project to be signed since 2007. Ireland’s road network is an imperative asset for economic growth and Minister Donohue spoke of his hope that the improvements would be a key driver for growth and development as the economy continues to recover. Fred Barry, CEO of the National Roads Authority said he was very pleased with the progress made to date on this scheme and this new flyover should provide much-needed relief for daily road users. It is hoped that the final phase of this PPP scheme, the N11 Arklow to Rathnew project, will be opened before the end of 2015.