Construction work began today on widening the four-lane N7 Naas dual carriageway, which is the main approach route to Dublin from the south of the country.
The AA has warned that unless construction works are carefully managed they could cause chaos for the thousands of motorists who use the route each day.
When it is completed, the road will have six lanes from Rathcoole to Naas and new flyovers at Johnstown, Kill, Castlewarden and Steelstown.
The €230 million project, which is being funded by the Government and the EU, is due to be finished in the summer of 2006.
A traffic management programme will be implemented for the duration of the project, and a temporary speed limit of 40 mph will be in force along the dual-carriageway during construction.
During the works, traffic lanes will have to narrow and officials admit that at times even more restrictions will be put in place.
According to the NRA and Kildare Co Council, the flyovers will make the journey between Naas and Dublin 'much safer' and would help to eliminate tailbacks.
