Signing of motorway contract will allay fears over jobs

The completion of the new motorway between Gort and Tuam will offset fears of job losses in the city and county – where major employers had grown increasingly frustrated at the sub-standard transport infrastructure to the north and south.

All of that is despite another delay this week which has prevented the anticipated signing of the construction contracts today.

It is understood that contracts for the €550 million project may now be signed next week, after an issue arose last Tuesday evening.

But the fact that the sign-off is now so close in either event is good news on the jobs front, because it is understood that some major employers were considering moving out of Galway because of the poor infrastructure between the city and both Shannon and Knock Airports.

The Connacht Tribune has learned that a number of major employers in the city and county were considering their options as there were serious delays about the motorway being constructed.

Some major exporters of medical items were frustrated over the fact that the journey between Galway and Gort was taking so long because of the fact that four villages had to be negotiated en route.

It is understood that some major employers were on the verge of pulling out of Galway but the announcement that the consortium, who won the contract to construct the motorway, are now proceeding with the project has eased their concerns.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.