Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has today (Thursday) welcomed and expressed his delight at the commencement of construction works on the N11 upgrade between Rathnew and Arklow.

Deputy Doyle was speaking after the turning of the first sod on the road upgrade and bypass in which he took part.

After turning the first sod, Deputy Doyle said: "I was delighted to be part of the ceremony to mark the turning of the first sod of the N11 upgrade between Rathnew and Arklow. Ever since I was elected to the Council in 1999 and then to the Dáil in 2007, I have strongly campaigned for the completion of this bypass. The years of hard work and commitment to this project by all involved is finally paying dividends today as we turn the first sod on this very important piece of national infrastructure which will hugely benefit county Wicklow.

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"The completion of the bypass will result in a new 16.5 kilometre, four-lane dual carriageway linking the existing Arklow Bypass with the existing Rathnew/Ashford Bypass in Co. Wicklow. From a Wicklow point of view, it is the last piece in the jigsaw on the N11 route that runs throughout the county down the east coast.

"As I stated when the contracts were signed back in April of this year, this is the first transportation project in this country for six years to take place in a public private partnership. This road will efficiently accommodate a large number of commuters, capitalise on the natural advantages from a tourism perspective, reduce travel times for residents and increase the attractiveness of county Wicklow as a place to do business.

"Over the last number of weeks, the project office has been put into place near Jack Whites pub. The construction contractors have been actively recruiting local people for the Bypass, with jobs available for experienced civil foremen, administrators, health & safety officers, trades and quantity surveyors. Additionally, the local chambers have been putting together lists of local suppliers in order to assist in any way they can to ensure the local economy benefits as much as possible during this two year project, for which I commend their efforts."

(CD)