The M11 Rathnew to Arklow, a 16.5km project that will cut journey times by up to 20 minutes, has opened - and seven weeks ahead of schedule. [caption id="attachment_22615" align="alignright" width="249"] The 16.5km route will cut journey times by up to 20 minutes[/caption] The motorway, supervised by the RPS, comprises 16.5km of toll-free two-lane motorway, two grade separated junctions, eight bridges, realignment of sections of the old N11 and link roads to tie into the existing road network. RPS has been the National Roads Authority’s representative on the €282 million PPP project since 2009, and which also includes the N7 Newlands Cross junction upgrade, which opened in November 2014, and a motorway service area on the Gorey Bypass, due to open shortly. The completion of this project provides about 280km of continuous motorway or dual carriageway between Gorey and Belfast. This scheme is expected to have significant safety benefits for the approximate 20,000 road users who use this route daily, as it removes traffic from the old N11, which has a series of dangerous bends at Ballinameesda. Minister Brendan Howlin said: "Upgrading the existing national N11 route to motorway standard is an important step forward. Not only is it a new link to our existing motorway network but it will improve safety and operational efficiency and shorten journey times. "For business, commuters, tourists and visitors, it will improve connectivity times in the east and to the south-east."