The new Rathnew-Arklow M11 motorway has been opened to traffic.

Ninety kilometres of motorway and dual carriageway now exists between Gorey and Dublin and this progressive development has been warmly welcomed in Wexford following the official opening of the M11 Arklow to Rathnew upgrade yesterday (Monday).

Speaking at the opening Minister Brendan Howlin said the project is an important part of infrastructure on the east coast that will significantly improve the safety on this stretch.

For business, commuters, tourists and visitors, it will improve connectivity times in the east and to the south east and will lead to shortened journeys to Rosslare Europort.

This project also includes the construction of a service area at Gorey, which will provide 24 hour access for motorists to rest and recuperation facilities.

Looking to the future, Minister Howlin stated: “I am also looking forward to the signing of the contract for the Enniscorthy bypass shortly, which when completed in 2018 will result in a motorway all the way from Larne to just north of Wexford town.”

Chairman of Gorey Municipal District Council, Cllr Malcolm Byrne, who travels to work in Ballsbridge several days a week is delighted with the project.

“It will make the journey faster as well as much safer, as the dangerous Ballineesda bends will no longer be a feature of the trip,” said Cllr Byrne.

BAM Ireland has completed and officially opened the M11 motorway three months ahead of schedule.

This is the final construction stage of the N11 Arklow to Rathnew motorway PPP and N7 Newlands Cross Flyover.

The M11 project saw the design and construction of a new Arklow to Rathnew motorway, a 35km upgrade of the existing M11, and construction of Gorey Service Station.

The route, which is a particularly busy commuter artery, was officially opened by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., together with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, T.D.

Full details in THE WEXFORD ECHO Group of Newspapers.