DUBLIN — Drivers in Ireland are set to face higher charges on several major national roads from January 1 next year, following an announcement by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The increase, which is regulated by an inflation mechanism, primarily affects the M50 orbital motorway and the Dublin Port Tunnel.
Key Increases in Dublin
The price hikes are generally modest, but a significant rise is being introduced for peak-time Port Tunnel users:
- M50 Motorway: All categories of vehicles using the M50 will see an increase, with many users charged an additional 10c. The only exception is unregistered motor cars that do not have a tag or video account. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) exceeding 10,000kg with a video account will see a slightly larger increase of 20c.
- Dublin Port Tunnel Peak Southbound: The toll for non-HGV traffic traveling southbound during the morning peak hours (6 am to 10 am) will rise by €1, increasing from €13 to €14. TII stated this specific rise is intended to preserve capacity for HGVs, as non-HGV traffic continued to increase during peak periods in 2025.
Other National Road Network Increases
Tolls on other parts of the national road network will also be affected:
- M4 (Kilcock to Kinnegad) and M3 (Clonee to Kells): Motorists using these motorways will face a 10c increase.
- HGVs on M4: Heavy Goods Vehicles weighing over 3,500kg and having four or more axles on the M4 will see a 20c increase.
TII Justification
TII confirmed that the toll increases are regulated through an inflation mechanism, meaning prices cannot rise above inflation. The agency justifies the charges by stating that the collected tolls are essential for funding TII’s “annual protection and renewal of national roads”.
