Prior to July 2008, the majority of the M9 – from Junction 2 onwards – was to be built as High Quality Dual Carriageway (HQDC).

Due to the passing of a Statutory Instrument in that month, a large section of the route was re-designated to motorway standard.

This junction is a restricted access interchange, allowing traffic from the M9 to enter only the eastbound carriageway.

This 18.5 km (11 mi) section of motorway opened on 29 May 2008 and runs between Junctions 4 and 6 on the M9 corridor.

The remaining section, Leighlinbridge to Danesfort, opened on 9 September 2010, thus completing the entire motorway.

The EIS for the M9 Kilcullen Motorway Service Area is available at the TII website (scroll down to the bottom here).

[5] On 1 August 2013, a planning application for a Motorway Service Area was lodged with Kilkenny County Council.

In April 2014 construction began on a bridge and access roads to a service area close to Junction 2 near Kilcullen and was completed in early 2015.