Bypass hits planning roadblock

Date Published: 05-Dec-2008

THE future of the Galway City Outer Bypass was dealt a double blow this week, after a 6km stretch west of the River Corrib was rejected by An Bord Pleanála and the Government confirmed that funding for the €340million project had been pulled.

And while An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead for the fifth bridge over the Corrib and 15km east of the river, the funding setback puts any potential completion date back to 2014.

But City Manager Joe MacGrath has said the city must press ahead with the portion that was approved and study alternative options for the remainder.

Regardless of the decision from An Bord Pleanála, the Outer Bypass is one of four major roads projects which have been deferred, Deputy Frank Fahey, Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport confirmed to the Galway City Tribune.

Deputy Fahey admitted it would be a “battle” to get funding for the massive roads project back on track, and described the planning decision as ‘disastrous’.

“The money was provided for the Bypass with a 2009 start, but that is now deferred, so it doesn’t make any difference that the money isn’t there … it will be a battle to get it back on track,” he said.

The Board have given the go ahead for 15km between Garraun in Oranmore and Gort an tSleibhe (near Bushypark), which includes the bridge over the Corrib, and refused permission for the stretch from Gort an tSleibhe to An Baile Nua (between Barna and Furbo).

Joe Tansey, Head of the new Galway Transportation Unit said: “The GTU welcomes this decision. However, we are currently assessing its implications on our future strategic options for alleviating traffic congestion in Galway … in particular, the decision to grant approval for the new bridge crossing is very welcome.

Now, the National Roads Authority has warned that…

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