Kids' plays areas planned for new M9 service station near Kilcullen
The new service station on the M9 near Kilcullen, which is due to open next year, will include shower facilities and baby-changing units.
Play areas for children are also included in the designs.
Construction began earlier this year following long legal delays due to a legal battle in the courts.
Up to 100 jobs are being created during the construction phase with a further 45-50 jobs created when the station is open and operational.
The speed limit on the stretch of the M9 has been dropped from 120km/hr to 80km/hr limit due to the construction activity.
The service station will be operated by Circle K and will provide a much needed rest and services stop on the M9.
There is currently no mainline motorway service station along the 60km distance between Kill and Carlow.
The new Circle K facility will be accessed from both carriageways via a new interchange.
When completed the new service station will include:
- Toilet facilities
- Showering facilities
- Baby-changing facilities
- Car and motorcycle parking areas
- Commercial vehicle/truck parking
- Coach/bus parking
- Electric Vehicle charging points
- Restaurant/hot food outlets
- Customer seating areas
- Convenience shop facilities
- Play areas for children
- Tourist information facilities
The latest Circle K service station on the M11 near Gorey, Co Wexford, has been officially opened and the 24-hour facility (below) is the largest Circle K site in the world.
It has generated 40 jobs for the local area.
It is set to cater for up to 20,000 motorists daily.
The newest opening is part of an overall investment of €35 million by Circle K into the development of four new sites.
The first of these sites located at J7 Kill on the N7 opened late last year with further new site openings scheduled for this year on the M9 at Kilcullen and the M6 at Athlone.