 On 20 December 2006 the Port Tunnel which carries traffic from the port and onto the motorway close to the M50/M1 interchange was opened as the first step of an eastern bypass to Dublin, making the M1 junctions 1 to 3 part of the M50.Though originally intended to be a two-lane single-bore system catering specifically to HGV traffic, the Port Tunnel was built to motorway standard as two separate tunnels to cater for all traffic (although HGV traffic is not tolled).The tunnels are deeper than originally planned to reduce disturbance to residential areas, and were built one kilometre longer and with more ancillary works to facilitate this.