One of the worst stretches of road between Dublin and Galway was today replaced with a new 19km motorway.
The N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan project was delivered on budget and 12 months ahead of schedule. The road will bypass Milltownpass, Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge and remove up to 10,000 cars each day from their streets.
Motorists travelling from Dublin to Galway will now have 74km of uninterrupted motorway-standard dual carriageway. The Transport 21 project was funded by the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund.
Transport Minister Martin Cullen said other Transport 21 schemes like the N25 Kinsalebeg project will be opened on Friday and the Ennis Bypass later this month. "Better roads make for easier, safer, road journeys in less time and in less built-up traffic," Mr Cullen said.
"Good progress is now being made on the upgrade of the entire Galway-Dublin route.
It is now possible to travel on continuous motorway and high quality dual carriageway from Dublin to Tyrrellspass on the N6
- a distance of 74kms.
"Throughout the country, we have seen the difference new road projects can make to people's lives. Business can do business with greater time certainty and commuters can get to their destination in a more efficient way.
"This road project is part of a major programme of investment in our national roads. Route by route the national road network is being transformed. The fruits of this Government's transport infrastructure development policies can be seen throughout the country."
Other schemes currently under construction on the Dublin - Galway route include Phase 2 of N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone, the N6 Ballinasloe East - Galway and the N6 Galway Outer By-Pass.
National Roads Authority chairman Peter Malone said the road was an early Christmas present for motorists using the busy Dublin to Galway route.
"The new section of high quality road will remove one of the worst sections of the Dublin to Galway route, which runs from Kinnegad to Rochfortbridge resulting in improved road safety and travel times.
"The rest of this scheme is due to open by the end of next year and the entire inter-urban route by 2010.
It is great to end the year on such a positive note. 2006 has been another successful year for the National Roads Authority. Working in partnership with local authorities we have yet again succeeded in bringing schemes in on time and on budget."