Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD, today officially opened the Dundalk Western Bypass, five months ahead of schedule.
The minister was joined at the opening by the NRA Chairman, Mr Peter Malone.
The multi-million euro bypass was completed five months ahead of schedule and under budget.
It was temporarily opened yesterday for Tyrone fans travelling to and from Croke Park.
The completion of the 11km stretch of road also marks the end of the first Public Private Partnership road scheme.
There is now over 90 kilometres of continuous motorway from Dublin Airport to the north of Dundalk and a saving of approximately 30 minutes for motorists travelling at peak times.
Minister Cullen said: 'The opening of the new Dundalk Western Bypass will be a major benefit to the people and businesses of the northeast.'
'Equally, with better access to and from Dundalk, local businesses can thrive and jobs in Louth can grow.'
Minister Cullen also announced plans to introduce Fixed Price Contracts on all taxpayer funded transport projects to ensure the risk for any overruns falls on the contractor and not the taxpayer.
However, the business group IBEC has warned the plan could put-off contractors from tendering for work.
The Construction Industry Federation claimed the new contracts were legally untested and would in all probability end up in the courts - costing rather than saving money.
