DETAILED plans of the consultants' preferred route for the Rathnew and Ashford bypass, part of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford, have been sent to members of Wicklow County Council.
The council posted the plans on Wednesday but refuses to comment publicly on the chosen route in advance of a council meeting scheduled for Monday next.
However, The Irish Times has learned that the new route, beginning at Ballynabarney, south of Rathnew, will travel northwards passing to the west of Rathnew village before crossing the existing "N11 at Rossanna, on the Dublin side of the village. North of Rossanna it crosses the Vartry River and runs to the west of Inchanappa hill. North of Inchanappa the route runs east of the existing road by the Cullenmore Hotel before crossing the existing road and proceeding past Coynes Cross and northwards to meet the Kiladreenan Newtownmountkennedy bypass.
The road is expected to relieve major traffic congestion at "pinch points" in Rathnew and Ashford where tailbacks can extend several miles - especially during summer when holidaymakers travel between Dublin and the south east. It is part of an overall plan to upgrade the N11 which also involves a bypass for Arklow town, and a dual carriageway through Kilmacanogue and the Glen o' the Downs.
Initial reaction to the route from traders in Rathnew was broadly positive yesterday. The chief concern was that any route would separate the village from the existing road to Wicklow town.
The route is one of several considered.