€26.167 million has been allocated for Galway’s national roads for this year.
The funding allocated to Galway’s councils by Transport Infrastructure Ireland for 2018 will fund improvements to many of Galway’s major transport routes including the N59 Galway – Clifden road, the N84 Headford Road, the N6 at Bothar na dTreabh and the old N17/N18 roads.
The funding of over €25 million for Galway County Council – up from €21.6 million in 2017 – will ensure significant improvements to major roads in the county and includes:
- €4.94 million for the N59 which will fund works between Clifden and Oughterard, including between Maam Cross and Bunakill, road widening at Letterfrack, pavement strengthening works on the Galway side of Oughterard, on the northern approach to Clifden and on the Clifden side of Maam Cross, and to progress the Moycullen Bypass;
- €2 million to progress the Galway Ring Road for which the planning application will be submitted in the coming weeks;
- €424,424 to improve the old N18 near the Carrowmoneesh Roundabout;
- €4.5 million for the N84 Headford Road which will fund overlay works between Castlequarter to Corrandulla, between Clonboo and Corrandulla, on approach to Clonboo and at Bunnaconeen as well as pavement strengthening works at Ballindooley;
- €200,000 for further works on the Luimnagh Realignment Scheme on the N84
- €50,000 for traffic calming works at Claregalway.
The funding represents a year-on-year increase of almost 17%.
Galway City Council has been allocated €1.13 million – up from €806,000 in 2017 – which includes €500,000 for improvements to Bothar na dTreabh as well as funding for pavement improvements, maintenance and route lighting.
Overall for Galway this investment of €26.167 million by Government will see significant improvements in the national road network in the city and county which is used by tens of thousands of people on a daily basis.
Sean Kyne TD said that the funding allocations of €4.94 million for the N59 and €4.7 million for the N84 are particularly important as these roads are “vital access routes to the city and the motorway network from Connemara and North Galway.”
The funding will facilitate works that will improve the condition of roads and road safety – important for all road users.
Sean Kyne TD said: “The increase in the funding for Galway’s national roads demonstrates the Government’s commitment to investment in infrastructure and I know both Galway County and Galway City Councils will put this funding to use for the benefit of residents and communities across Galway this year.”
Cllr James Charity said that the Headford Road funding will address the section of road between Luimnagh and Ballindooley, with works also taking in both approaches to Clonboo and the northern approach to Ballindooley.
He said that it also represents the largest investment in this stretch of the road in living memory.
“I continue to press for the upgrade of the road to cope with increased traffic volume and have finally received confirmation from the Minister that the issue of upgrading the N84 has been referred to the TII for consideration,” said Cllr Charity.
