N11 road
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The N11 is a major road in Ireland, running along the east side of Ireland from Dublin to Wexford. It passes close to Bray, Greystones, Wicklow and Arklow, from which many commute to Dublin, and also passes through Gorey and Enniscorthy amongst others. Beyond Wexford, the road continues to Rosslare as the N25.
As of the end of 2004, the N11 is of dual-carriageway or motorway standard from Dublin as far as Rathnew in County Wicklow. The section of the N11 immediately south from the M50, bypassing Bray, has been upgraded to motorway standard and is known as the M11 motorway.
The upgrading of the road to dual-carriageway through the Glen of the Downs was controversial, as the valley is a wooded area. Expanding the road resulted in the removal of some woodland. A campaign of protests, mainly by English activists, led to long delays in the construction of this section of road, but the work was eventually completed with a minimal disruption to the woodland.
As of 2004, with Bray, Newtownmountkennedy, Ashford, Rathnew and Arklow all having been bypassed, the biggest bottle-neck to traffic on the N11 is the County Wexford town of Gorey. Plans exist to extend the dual-carriageway to beyond Gorey, bypassing the town.
Link with M50
After many years of planning, in June 2005 the N11/M11 will finally be joined with Dublin's M50 motorway. The M50 is Dublin's bypass or C-Ring motoway and the joining will allow commuters to drive on continuous motorway and Dual-Carriageway from Rathnew, Co.Wicklow to North of Drogehda, Co. Louth.
The M50 will link with the M11 on the Bray by-pass. Traffic travelling Dublin-Bound will be now given the choice to continue into the Southern Suburbs of Dublin or travel via the M50 motorway around the city and to the Western Fringes of the city.
In addition all the National Routes originating & terminating in Dublin (N1,2,3,4,7,11,81) will now be linked.
Traffic on the N11 in Dublin is expected to ease as traffic will now be given other route options.
External links
- National Roads Authority (http://www.nra.ie/) (of Ireland)