A major transport infrastructure project has been completed and offically re-opened.

Senior building contractors watched as the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey opened phase one of the Western Rail Corridor yesterday, which is the longest section of track to be re-opened ever in the State.

The new line will provide five services each way daily serving Limerick, Ennis, Athenry and Galway as well as the new stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. Another new station will be built at Oranmore.

The Western Rail line will allow passenger trains to run between Limerick and Galway for the first time in over 30 years.

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The Minister said: "This is a truly historic day for the West of Ireland. For the first time in over 30 years passenger trains will again run between Limerick and Galway. This will facilitate passengers to travel between Limerick and Galway rather than travelling to Portarlington.

"I cannot overstate the critical importance of local support for Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor in promoting the development of further phases of the Corridor. I am seeking to progress planning of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3, to ensure that we are in a position to move speedily to construction at the earliest possible date."

The reopening of the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) from Ennis to Claremorris was included as a priority project under Transport 21. The next step will be for Iarnród Éireann to undertake a detailed evaluation of phases two and three with a view to arriving at precise costs to undertake the works.

(DW/BMcc)