The M17/M18 Gort to Tuam scheme has officially opened two months ahead of schedule.

The Gort-Tuam Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme is one of three road PPP projects included in the Government's Financial Stimulus Package 2012.

Transport Minister Shane Ross said: "This is my first major road opening as Minister for Transport so I am delighted that the M17/18 road scheme has been completed two months ahead of schedule and on budget. This new motorway is a huge boost for the western seaboard area. It will enhance employment opportunities, benefit tourism and help address traffic bottlenecks at Tuam, Claregalway, Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan and Gort. I look forward to using it."

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The road will be of motorway standard from Gort to the Kilmore junction near Tuam (a distance of 53.2km) and a dual carriageway type 2 cross section from the Kilmore roundabout to the Mountpotter roundabout north of Tuam (a distance of 4.2km).

The overall scheme value is €550 million.

John Sisk and Son Ltd welcomed the opening.

The new motorway was delivered by the Direct Route Consortium, which includes John Sisk & Son.

Pat Lucey, Managing Director of Civils UK & Ireland at John Sisk & Son said: "John Sisk & Son is delighted to have delivered the M17 M18 Gort to Tuam Motorway Scheme and to be a part of its official opening today. It was our aim from the start to deliver this project safely and on time and that has now been achieved within budget.

"The 56km of new road will bring a huge improvement to connectivity west of the Shannon and multi-national companies like Apple are showing great vision in planning a major facility close to the new interchange on the M6 which is 180km from the M50, 69km from Shannon Airport and 80km from Knock Airport. It's the type of development that is needed to counteract the regional imbalance and it is infrastructure like this that makes it possible."

(CD/LM)