Construction work started today on a massive road network in the south west.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen marked Phase II of the Limerick Southern Ring Road by turning the first sod at Clonmacken Roundabout on the N18.
The new dual carriageway will bypass the city from east to west, improving journey times for those travelling to Ennis and Shannon airport.
It will carry the significant volumes of traffic now using the N18 Ennis Road coming from or going to areas east and south of Limerick City.
Vehicles on the current route primarily use Shannon and Sarsfield Bridges in Limerick City to cross the Shannon, leading to significant congestion in the centre of Limerick.
Planning for the Limerick Southern Ring Road began in the mid 1980s, with phase I of the major road scheme opening in May 2004.
It is planned that Phase II, which will extend the Phase I section to join the N20 to the N18, will be open to traffic in just over three years linking all the national roads coming into Limerick.
Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern also revealed the new 21-kilometre stretch of the N6 Dublin to Galway road will open in December or January.
The route between Kinnegad and Tyrellspass in Co Westmeath is coming in a full year ahead of schedule and within budget.
On a visit to the county, Mr Ahern said it was a significant step in the ambitious Transport 21 plan.
"Its completion will significantly improve safety and journey times for motorists in Westmeath and other users of the N6. It will also take thousands of lorries and cars out of towns like Milltownpass and Rochfortbridge on a daily basis," the Taoiseach said.
"The opening of this road almost a year ahead of schedule will mark a significant milestone in the delivery of high-quality road between Dublin and Galway."
Between 1997 and 2006 the Government has invested over €441 million on improving the main road network in Westmeath.