The final section of the €6 million Portlaoise Orbital Route has finally been given the green light, it has been confirmed.
Work is expected to begin early in 2018 on the vital road connection and be completed in just over a year.
Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley said: “This is good news for Portlaoise and the motorists who travel into it.
“The completion of the orbital route, at a cost of €6 million, to connect the Timahoe Road with the Abbeyleix Road will enable a lot of traffic to bypass the town centre.
“Much of the congestion at the 5 schools at Summerhill will also be alleviated as traffic can move on more easily towards the Timahoe and Abbeyleix Roads.
Benefits
“One of the other benefits is that it will connect James Fintan Lawlor Avenue via Aldi to the new route,” he said.
The route is seen as the most important piece of infrastructure for the town which will link a number of major routes in the town.
“I have raised this with every Minister for Transport over the past 7 years as it is badly needed. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has now agreed to allow Laois County Council to go to tender.
“Work should commence by the end of the first quarter of 2018 and be completed in 11 months,” he said.
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