By Iveren McCallion
£1.2 million of EU cash is to be made available to complete the design stages of the Southern Relief Road.
The Department for Infrastructure confirmed public events to gauge our views on plans will be held in Newry later this month.
There are two possible routes for the bypass which will relieve congestion in Newry, by linking Warrenpoint Harbour traffic to the main Belfast to Dublin corridor.
Consultation days will take place on the 14th and 15th at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre between 10am and 9pm.
A report on it is expected to be published next summer.