The €34.6 million Kilpedder interchange on the N11 in north Co Wicklow, described as "the final link in a chain of projects", is to open before the end of November - almost a year ahead of schedule.
The interchange will include an underpass of the N11 and the reorganisation of local roads aimed at separating local east-west traffic from north-south traffic on the Dublin to Rosslare corridor. It will also replace a temporary link between the N11 and a dual-carriageway bypass of Delgany village, as well as providing dual carriageway access to Industrial Development Agency lands near Charlesland.
The interchange will also facilitate Zapi Properties - the company controlled by developers Seán Dunne and Seán Mulryan that developed the 1,500-home Charlesland estate - in their plans to significantly expand the development.
These plans include additional housing and a range of community facilities, including a school, Garda station, enterprise centre and a district shopping centre.
Work on the interchange was to have started more than three years ago but was delayed by the National Roads Authority because of uncertainty about ground conditions.
Following the opening of the interchange, expected during the last week of November, a traffic-management scheme is to be put in place in Delgany to encourage heavy vehicles to avoid the village.
Wicklow TD Joe Behan described the interchange as being of "monumental importance" to the wider north Wicklow area, improving access to Greystones and the villages of Kilcoole and Kilpedder, as well as to the bypass of Delgany village.
It was the "final link in a chain of projects" and would incorporate a slip road to Willow Grove and the creation of two-way traffic under the nearby Barry's bridge, replacing the current one-way system.
Fellow Wicklow TD and Minister of State Dick Roche said the interchange would remove the last obstacle to the Industrial Development Authority developing its office park at Charlesland on the outskirts of Greystones.
The interchange was constructed by John Sisk and Sons with SM Morris providing road surfacing. It had not been expected to be completed before mid-2008 at the earliest.
