€64m by-pass a positive step for the West

A €64 MILLION by-pass which will cut up to half-an-hour off the journey time between Galway and Sligo at peak times was officially opened yesterday

The 16km N17 Knock-Claremorris bypass is designed to carry 10,000 vehicles away from Knock and Claremorris each day. It is the biggest road project ever undertaken by Mayo County Council and was financed by the National Roads Authority, under the National Development Plan and European Regional Development Fund. After performing the official opening, the minister said that the opening of the bypass was another positive step in the completion of a quality road network in the West.

Industry, tourism and regional development through shorter journey times would benefit and there would be a saving of up to 30 minutes at peak times on travel between Galway and Sligo.

The chairman of Mayo County Council, Tim Quinn, said that up to 10,000 vehicles per day including heavy goods vehicles from Knock and Claremorris town centres would have a very positive impact on the quality of life of people living in both towns.