A NEW €34.6 million interchange and road scheme on the N11, which was officially opened by Minister of State Dick Roche last Friday, remains partially closed because work on the scheme is not finished.
The three-part scheme includes an underpass of the N11 between Kilpedder and the Willow Grove; the removal of a one-way restriction at another underpass known as Barry's Bridge and the building of a pedestrian bridge at Kilpedder.
Speaking at the opening, Wicklow county manager Eddie Sheehy described the scheme as a "very fine complex of road infrastructure which will provide hugely significant benefits for the area".
However, two parts of the scheme, the two-way traffic at Barry's Bridge and the pedestrian bridge at Kilpedder, are incomplete.
At Barry's Bridge new road markings, new signage and two new roundabouts have been in place since late last year. But a 30m (98½ft) stretch of road linking to the northbound carriageway of the N11 remains to be resurfaced, and was not completed in time.
The new pedestrian bridge also remained closed yesterday and workers directed pedestrians to a temporary bridge which has been in use for some time.
Adding to the difficulties, the open section of the underpass linking Kilpedder/Willow Grove to a new dual carriageway serving Charlesland and Greystones was the subject of a crash within hours of the official opening on Friday.
Attempts to contact a spokesman for Wicklow County Council were not successful. A spokesman for the National Roads Authority said the council hoped the resurfacing would be completed this week.
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