A new road aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Navan Co Meath is being officially opened today.
The 1.2km route is expected to have an "immediate and positive effect" on the quality of life of thousands of people in Navan.
The LDR4 route connecting the Kells Road south of the River Blackwater in Abbeyland to the Raholdron Road on the north side opened to traffic earlier this week.
The route can now redistribute traffic heading into town from the north and away from the Inner Relief Road, which was previously the only route into Navan from that direction.
The road also means people coming from the Drogheda and Slane side of Navan now have easier access to the M3 motorway while also improving traffic congestion in the centre of town.
A new bridge over the River Blackwater is part of the route, along with new footpaths and cycle tracks.
It has also allowed for two new access points to Blackwater park.
Meath County Council said that these access points safely link the LDR4 to Blackwater Public Park for local pedestrians and cyclists and also provide a suitable route for Navan cyclists and pedestrians wishing to access the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway.
Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Wayne Harding said the project aligns with the council's "vision for a thriving and inclusive county, recognising fully that our expanding population needs robust infrastructure such as the LDR".
"Reducing congestion in our towns also reduces emissions, meaning less pollution, better air quality, a healthier environment, and an improved quality of life," he said.
Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said the route will have an "immediate and positive effect on the quality of life of thousands of people in Navan".
The road has been welcomed by County Meath Chamber, who described it as an "important development for Navan's continued development".
County Meath Chamber President Niamh Giffney said "improved connectivity will make it easier for everyone to move around Navan and enjoy all that the town has to offer".
