Motorists travelling between Dublin and Galway may be able to cut up to 45 minutes off their journey times from today with the opening of the €280 million N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone dual carriageway.
Officially opening the new 29 kilometre stretch of road, the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said it was a welcome boast for the midlands and for the country. The new dual-carriagway will bypass Kilbeggan, Horseleap and the traffic blackspot of Moate.
Mr Dempsey praised the "positive attitude" of traders in these areas, who said earlier today that they hoped to see an increase in business because of the improved traffic flow in the locality.
The chairman of the National Roads Authority Peter Malone said the additional infrastructure would mean drivers could "travel all the way from Dublin to west of Athlone on 114km of continuous motorway or dual carriageway".
The entire major inter-urban route from Galway to Dublin will be finished in two years, but will be funded by a toll.