€550m motorway to take four years to finish

The biggest construction project in the State, which got under way at the weekend, is expected to take four years to complete.

The €550m Gort to Tuam M18 motorway is providing employment for 450 workers and will provide relief to motorists who have to suffer daily traffic congestion in some of the country’s worst bottlenecks.

The Public-Private Partnership deal between the NRA and the Direct Route consortium will see 57km of motorway completed and ready for traffic by 2018.

Part of the Atlantic Corridor on the west coast, it will take thousands of vehicles out of Claregalway, Tuam and Clarinbridge each day, and will provide a direct link from Shannon Airport to Ireland West airport at Knock

The Direct Route consortium comprises the major construction and civil engineering companies Roadbridge, John Sisk, and Lagan. The group was previously involved in the construction of the Limerick motorway tunnel.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said the new stretch of motorway would be of benefit to business, tourism and road safety.

“This is the only major road project commencing this year and represents further evidence of the Government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure outside of the greater Dublin area. The Ballaghaderreen bypass will be completed later in the year.

“I’m also pleased that the NRA has made significant progress on the procurement of two further PPP projects: the N25 New Ross bypass and the M11 Gorey-Enniscorthy scheme,” said Mr Varadkar.

Mayor of Co Galway Liam Carroll described the project as “a massive development” for Galway.

The NRA has confirmed that the new M18 stretch of motorway will not be tolled.