The only national road project due to be completed this year, the N5 bypass of Longford town, is  opens to traffic  this morning.

The new route is expected to cut up to 20 minutes off the journey from Dublin to Mayo.

Combined with the existing N4 bypass of Longford town, the new road will take Dublin to Mayo traffic on a semi-circular route to the north of the midlands town.

It is also expected to ease significantly traffic congestion in the town, and is being opened in time for the bank holiday weekend.

It’s a €26 million single-carriageway road and was completed two months ahead of schedule.

The contractor was Mayo based Wills Brothers.

The bypass is one of several schemes designed to  improve access between Dublin and Roscommon and Mayo. The N5 Ballaghaderreen bypass is scheduled to commence at the end of this year.