New transport steps to tackle traffic woes

New bus corridors, extending the city bike scheme, and developing a cycleway from Claddagh to Barna are among the targeted measures to tackle Galway’s chronic traffic congestion.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohue has confirmed some €2.1 million will be spent this year to drive-forward 10 different transport projects in Galway City.

Extending the Tuam Road bus corridor, which will encourage increased bus use for commuters into the city, is among the main projects announced.

Some €500,000, or just less than 25% of the total Galway funding, has been earmarked for extending the bus lane and cycle lanes along the N17 Tuam Road, from the Parkmore Road junction and finishing at the junction with the N6.

A further €100,000 has been allocated for one of the city’s worst bottlenecks, Parkmore junction. The money is to be used for the design of improvements at the notorious junction.

The Minister set-aside some €200,000 for the design of a greenway from Galway city to Barna. The money is to be used for the design and planning stages of the walkway and cycleway from Wolfe Tone Bridge in Claddagh to the western edge of Barna village.

A total of €200,000 has been earmarked for the design of a bus and cycle lane along University Road, from University Hospital to the Cathedral. A total of €500,000 has been ploughed into junction safety improvements at various city junctions including at Western Distributor Road, Lower Salthill Road, and Clybaun Road. A further €200,000 has been allocated to extend the city bike scheme, and €100,000 has been given to Galway City Council to build bus parking bays adjacent to the Cathedral.

 For more on the funding and see this week’s Galway City Tribune