Meath County Council has temporarily closed the R153, the stretch of road where last week's school bus crash claimed the lives of five schoolgirls.
The decision by the council to close the road was taken following consultation with the Garda.
It has also emerged that the President, Mary McAleese yesterday made individual visits to each of the five families bereaved by the tragic accident.
Mrs McAleese called to each of the five homes and had a private meeting with each, a spokesman for the President said. He could not comment on what passed between the President and the families.
The Alexander Reid to Follistown Road is closed for five days, from yesterday to next Friday inclusive, according to a statement from the council.
"The section of public road is currently the subject of surfacing works and the location of the tragic accident in which five local schoolgirls, all passengers on a Bus Éireann schoolbus, lost their lives last Monday evening 23rd May 2005," said Meath County manager, Tom Dowling.
"Investigations into the cause of this dreadful accident have been ongoing resulting in suspension of the roadworks," he said.
"The council is conscious that the unfinished road continues to act as a vivid and stark reminder of the tragic events of last Monday to a local community suffering huge distress and pain at this time.
"It is considered that in light of this, a newly-opened fully-completed road might help lessen the visual reminder, while accepting and appreciating that it will not diminish the burden of sorrow currently being felt throughout the community and further afield."
Mr Dowling also indicated that the scene of the tragedy has naturally become a location for reflection and silent payer over the past week. "The council is mindful of the public's best of intentions in this regard but is concerned that this situation could ultimately compromise road safety if the road reopened in its current state.
"We have therefore discussed this matter with the gardaí and contractor on site and have decided . . . to officially close the road."
Meath County Council has arranged alternative routes for approaches to this section of the R153. From Navan: from R153 on to county road 61 (Boyne road) to its junction with N2 Dublin/ Derry road.