The longest stretch of motorway in the State will be finished by the summer of 2008, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said today.
Mr Cullen turned the sod on the second phase of the Kinnegad to Athlone road today. It is the latest phase in road-building on the Dublin to Galway route.
The latest phase will stretch from the Kinnegad to Kilbeggan section of the N6 route, currently under construction, and link Kilbeggan to Athlone.
With both phases complete, 57 kilometres of motorway will link Kinnegad to Athlone. Dublin is already linked to Kinnegad by the M4 motorway.
"The N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone road project forms part of the East/West Strategic Road Corridor. It will provide a bypass for Kilbeggan, Moate and Horseleap, giving these towns back to their people," Mr Cullen said today.