The biggest road project ever planned for Kerry is proceeding to land acquisition.
The National Roads Authority has told Kerry County Council it approves the publishing of the compulsory purchase order for the Tralee bypass.
Estimated at €160 million, the Tralee bypass will link the Listowel road to the Killarney and Castlemaine road. It will include 8km of dual carriageway. Environmental impact studies and route selection were completed some time ago.
A council spokesman described the publication as "a huge step" for the road, which has been planned for years. About 100 landowners will be affected by the CPO, he said.