Travelling times between Dublin and Celbridge and Leixlip in Co Kildare will be cut when a new link to the M4 motorway opens on Monday.
The €48 million project is expected to reduce traffic congestion and ensure safer roads for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in north-east Kildare, according to Kildare County Council.
As well as the Celbridge interchange on the M4, the link comprises 4km of roads serving Intel, Hewlett Packard and other plants in Celbridge and west Leixlip.
It also includes a bridge spanning the Dublin-Galway railway and the Royal Canal, 8km of cycleway and footpaths, 6km of safety barriers, 31km of underground services and three roundabouts.
The council claims the link will create new opportunities for business and lead to cleaner environments in the area through the reduction of exhaust emissions.
The link was built in 22 months by John Sisk and Son. Funding was provided under the National Development Plan by the Department of the Environment, the Department of Transport, Kildare County Council, the National Roads Authority, Intel, Hewlett Packard and the European Regional Development Fund.
A number of archaeological finds were excavated before the construction of the road. A sizeable prehistoric ring ditch enclosure, including an early Christian kiln, was uncovered containing ritual deposits of bone and pottery.
A number of ancient cooking area and fulachtaí fiadh, including several kilns and roasting pits and a metal working furnace, were also uncovered.
The excavations were carried out by Valerie J. Keeley Ltd. under licence and with guidance from Dúchas.
The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, will perform the official opening on Monday.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/e23497a4-11b8-483c-94f7-2871a9e21dab.png)