Road rage has taken on a new meaning in the midlands where the route of the new Dublin/Galway road has become a major source of contention between counties Westmeath and Offaly.
Contrary to what east coast residents may suppose, the conflict between the two counties is over which one will get the road rather than who can avoid having it.
Business and political groups in both counties have lined up to lobby as hard as they can to have it routed their way.
The latest group to emerge is the North Offaly National Roads Action Group, made up of business people from Tullamore and Edenderry.
At present there are five options on the drawing board of the National Roads Authority (NRA) but only one of them passes through Offaly.
Three of the routes swing north of Kilbeggan and another follows the line of the existing road.
The fifth option, favouring Offaly, passes just north of Clara and close to Tullamore.
Cllr Johnny Flanagan, the county's most senior politician, warned the inaugural meeting of the group that if the road did not go through the county many businesses would be putting up "For Sale" signs.
Meanwhile, there is great unease in Westmeath and a growing fear that Mullingar will lose heavily if the road passes through Offaly.
Opposition to the N6 going through Offaly is being led by the Mullingar Chamber of Commerce.
Some of its members believe the political clout of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and division in Westmeath, where some councillors would prefer the old route to be maintained, could mean Mullingar's loss.
Despite the fact that Westmeath County Council will have a large input into the decision, the unease continues to spread, and the chairman of Mullingar Town Commissioners, Mr Michael Dollard, has claimed that the development of all Westmeath depends on the road passing as close as possible to Mullingar.
The decision on which route the NRA wants will be taken next month. The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, will have the final say after all parties are consulted.
Construction of the new road is scheduled to begin next spring, with an official opening scheduled for July 2005.