The N7 Naas road project, which will ease traffic congestion for more than 60,000 motorists a day is said to have been the most complex and challenging road engineering project ever undertaken in the Republic.

The carriageway connecting Cork, Waterford and Limerick direct to Dublin, carries on average 62,000 vehicles a day.

The road, which runs from the Red Cow roundabout in Dublin, will carry players, officials and visitors to next month’s Ryder Cup, to be held in the K Club.

A commemorative stone to mark the completion and the official opening of the project was unveiled yesterday, August 15, by Transport Minister Martin Cullen. "This is the tenth National road project to be opened this year, on time and within budget," he said.

The project included the addition of a third lane in either direction on the existing N7 dual carriageway from Rathcoole to the existing Naas By-pass. It also involved upgrading the 5.4km stretch of road, which now features two footbridges, four interchanges and the removal of traffic control lights at Johnstown and Kill.

"The project will alleviate a lot of the problems associated with the N7 and is to be welcomed. It will shorten journeys between Dublin and Cork and that is to be welcomed," a spokesman for the Irish Road Haulage Association stated.