The last remaining section of the M7 motorway between Castletown and Nenagh has opened to motorists.
The National Roads Authority confirmed the opening despite the official ceremony being abandoned because of the cold weather.
The 36km-section of the motorway links Dublin with Limerick and Kerry, and is the last section of the €18bn national inter-urban network.
It will bypass Toomevara, Moneygall and Roscrea, and save a further ten minutes on journeys at peak time.
It is expected to be used by 13,500 vehicles per day.
The opening was delayed last week because of a dispute over payments between the main contractor and a number of subcontractors.
That dispute was settled and the NRA then planned for the official opening of the roadway to take place this morning at Borris-in-Ossory.
However, plans for the opening, to be performed by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, were cancelled yesterday evening because of the deteriorating weather.
