€2.5m allocated for new Galway City bypass design

The Government has allocated €2.5 million towards the continued planning and design of the proposed new bypass of Galway City.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the National Roads Authority) has confirmed to Galway West TD Sean Kyne that the funds have been provided to Galway County Council for this year.

The Fine Gael General Election candidate said he “firmly believes” the €500 million road will be built.

“I firmly believe that the Galway City Bypass will be built. Transport Infrastructure Ireland confirmed that €2.5 million has been allocated to Galway County Council for the N6 Galway City Bypass this year.

“This brings to €6.6 million the amount invested in the last three years in the meticulous design of the bypass and demonstrates the commitment of the Fine Gael-led government to the project.

“The bypass is not just another road. It will also provide a fifth bridge crossing on the Corrib. It is incredible to think that a City of Galway’s size only has four bridge crossings over the Corrib.

“The recent analysis at the meeting which said that the bypass will remove no more than 5% of the traffic from the city is based on figures which completely ignore the N59 traffic as well as traffic from Salthill and Knocknacarra trying to join the M6 or reach the east side of the city and county.

“I fully support the bypass and have been completely upfront with my support for the project to all. It is galling to see election candidates declare their stringent opposition to the bypass only to canvass Connemara, or Salthill and Knocknacarra, and sympathetically listen to experiences of the traffic congestion which our city is unfortunately known for.

“It is also complete nonsense to imply that a supporter of the bypass is against public transport investment.

“I have, for example, raised issues including bus services to and from towns/villages such as Bearna, Moycullen, Claregalway and Oranmore; bus lanes and the possibility of opening up lanes at certain times; rural transport services such as Bealach in Connemara; parking for tour and commuter buses; bus routes, stops and shelters; the use of Quincentenary Bridge for a direct West-East bus route; the City Bikes scheme including the expansion of the scheme and the development of greenways.

“There is no single standalone solution to Galway’s transport challenges. A Bypass, however, is absolutely part of the overall solution. It will divert traffic from Connemara and the west of the City away from congested routes.

“It will connect Connemara to the national road network. It will help facilitate economic growth and development, particularly in the west of the city and in Connemara.

“And most of all, it will help reduce the amount of time the people of Galway have to spend in their cars instead of being with their families,” said Deputy Kyne.