The Galway City Road Scheme is moving forward to the statutory planning process following government approval.

Galway City Council will now submit the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, the Natura Impact Statement, Motorway Scheme Order and Protected Road Scheme Order for the scheme to An Bord Pleanála.

The purpose of the scheme is to reduce traffic congestion in Galway city and improve journey times and provide direct access from the new motorway to major employment centres at Parkmore and Ballybrit Business Parks. A further benefit of the new scheme is to free up much needed road space in the city centre which will improve public transport services, cycling, and walking.

The new scheme will also provide an additional bridge crossing of the River Corrib and improve connectivity with the west of the city and to Connemara, as well as enable other key elements of the Galway Transport Strategy to proceed.

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The advancement of the scheme was welcomed by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, the Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Minister Shane Ross said: "I am delighted to recommend that this vitally important ring road be advanced. The people of Galway have long awaited this decision and will benefit hugely from it. The project is a key component of the Galway Transport Strategy. It will provide a national road corridor around Galway city centre removing unnecessary through traffic and allow for the public transport network to function efficiently. This development will make public transport more attractive for daily commuters and crucially, it will make Galway roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians."

Michael Nolan, CEO Transport Infrastructure Ireland, added: "This is an important national road project for the entire region and the city of Galway. TII looks forward to working with Galway County Council on its delivery."

The proposed national road project comprises 12km of motorway/dual carriageway between the existing N6 at Coolagh (northeast of the city) to the existing Ballymoneen Road (northwest of the city), and continue as a single carriageway road for 6km as far as the R336 Coast Road, west of Bearna. The ring road will include a new bridge crossing of the River Corrib as well as grade separated junctions serving the N83, N84 and N59.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is the Funding Authority and this project has been included in the Government's Infrastructure Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and the National Development Plan 2018.

(CM/MH)