The scheme includes 18km of 2 lane motorway with five overbridges and two interchanges. The scheme forms part of the M1 route from Dublin to Belfast and links with the Airport to Lissenhall section to the south and the Balbriggan By-Pass to the north. The route provides access to the important towns of Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry, Banbridge and the City of Belfast. The detailed design and tender documents stage for this scheme were completed in a six-month period.