The Listowel Bypass in Co Kerry has been officially opened by Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Built at a cost of €62 million, the 6km bypass - which has been open to traffic since June - diverts some 7,000 vehicles a day away from Listowel town centre, including some 250 heavy goods vehicles.
It consists of 3.6km of a new single carriageway, 2.3km of improvement works to the John B Keane Road, and 1.5km of new roundabouts and improvements at junctions along the busy N69.
The bypass has been widely welcomed as traffic congestion in the town has long been seen as hampering the commercial activity of the county's third largest town.
It has also been welcomed locally for improving safety and accessibility across the region, especially between Listowel and Limerick.
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Owner of the Horseshoe bar and restaurant in Listowel Jerry Behan said his business has grown since the bypass was opened.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Behan said Listowel is a thriving town and the bypass "will do the town the power of good".
"There were traffic jams in town and people didn't want to go in because they were stuck in traffic for so long," he said.
"When they'd come into the town, all they'd want to do is get out of the town and get out of the traffic, whereas now it is much easier to get into town and people are inclined to stop and shop."
The Taoiseach was joined at the official opening by the Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, the Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and local landowners who facilitated the construction of the road.
Mr Harris said the bypass is a major boost for north Kerry in terms of transport, accessibility, commercial activity and tourism.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald described it a historic day for the county, adding that "traffic congestion in Listowel has long been identified as hampering transport and commercial activity."
