Extension of M18 from Gort–Tuam is a major boost for Galway jobs and tourism.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny turns sod on Gort–Tuam motorway link today Friday 9th May 2014. Enda Kenny said the infrastructure was much needed. The non-toll route, which is costing €550 million, will be open in 2018.
Fine Gael Local Election Candidate in Athenry–Oranmore, Josette Farrell has today (Friday) welcomed the turning of the sod by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD on the extension of the M18 motorway from Gort–Tuam. “Today’s turning of the sod on the Gort–Tuam Motorway represents a major boost for Galway in variety of ways.
“The economic downturn hit Galway and the west particularly hard. However this motorway project will be good for employment in the region, with 450 jobs to be created during construction, and many other jobs to be created indirectly in nearby areas.
The road will bypass Tuam, Ardrahan, Claregalway, Kilcolgan, Clarinbridge and Gort, thereby reducing bottlenecks in these areas. The first traffic along the route is expected in 2018 and it will be really good for regional economic development in the west.
“The Government is looking to ensure that the jobs boost is felt right across the country and today’s announcement is a good step in that direction for Galway. CSO figures for April show that unemployment in Galway City and County decreased by over 10% compared to this time last year.
“This motorway project, which is the first and largest project of the Government’s new Public Private Partnership Stimulus Programme, will significantly reduce journey times between Galway and Limerick which will be good for both cities from an economic and job creation point of view.
“The motorway also marks a major step in the completion of one of Ireland’s major interurban routes—the Atlantic corridor which stretches from Letterkenny to Waterford via Sligo, Tuam, Ennis, Limerick, Mallow & Cork.
“This is great news for the west and I will continue to work to help secure further investment for Galway in the future.”
57km long (53km motorway and 4km Tuam Bypass)
- Commences from N18 Gort–Crusheen scheme which opened in 2010
- Connects to the M6 motorway west of Oranmore
- Provides a bypass of Tuam at the northern end as well as Ardrahan, Kilcolgan and Clarinbridge in the south
- Acts as a bypass of Claregalway
- A significant part of the Atlantic Corridor
The existing N17 extends from Galway City in the south, through Claregalway, Tuam, Claremorris, Charlestown and Tubbercurry to Sligo in the north. The existing N18 extends from Limerick in the south through Ennis, Gort, Clarinbridge and Oranmore to Claregalway on the N17 in the north.
