The new N52 Tullamore bypass, in Co Offaly, has been opened just 19 months after the sod cutting ceremony.

The €45m single carriageway road was completed some 10 months ahead of schedule and within budget.

Work commenced on-site in March 2008 with a contract completion date of August 2010.

Co Down based contractor John Graham (Dromore) Ltd and Tyrone contractor PT McWilliams were awarded the joint venture contract.

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The contractors employed 1,350 men and women during the scheme, completing 650,000 man hours.

The new bypass comprises 14km of single carriageway road commencing southwest of Mucklagh village and extending east and north of Tullamore before rejoining the existing N52 north of the town.

The scheme links into the N80, Portlaoise road, east of the town at Clonminch.

Works included the construction of seven roundabout junctions, five river crossings, a crossing over the Grand Canal, one railway crossing, two underpasses and two further bridges.

(PR/BMcc)