N17 Tuam Claremorris

Introduction

The N17 Tuam to Claremorris forms part of the National Primary Road network between Sligo and Galway, and forms part of the Atlantic Corridor linking Letterkenny with Waterford. The route has been identified in Transport 21, the National Roads Needs Study 1998, and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 as one of strategic importance and is to be upgraded.

The existing network is substandard, subject to frequent delays, and currently poses an impediment to the economic development of the country, as well as to Galway, Mayo and bordering counties. The provision of a good quality route from Tuam to Claremorris will greatly benefit the local community by reducing journey times and accident rates, and improving the environment of the local communities living along the N17.

A Project team have been formed, based in Galway National Roads Design Office, and assisted by Halcrow Barry Consulting Engineers in order to bring forward design proposals.

Five corridors have been identified for further consideration. These corridors will be developed further in order to bring forward a proposal for a Preferred Route Corridor, taking into account the impacts and effects of each corridor. The broad corridor options shown may be adjusted or combined as the study develops as a result of assessment of the impacts of each of the routes. While the corridors shown are the most likely to identify Preferred Route Corridor, variations and combinations of these corridors may very well end up as the Preferred Route Corridor. Please note that the corridors shown are 400 metres wide. The land take for the road will be on average 50 metres wide. The type of road will be determined later, when results from traffic surveys on the existing road network become available. These broad corridors were presented at public consultation sessions in Tuam and Ballindine in May 2008.

Benefits of the Proposed Scheme

The N17 Tuam to Claremorris Project represents a major investment in both Galway and Mayo counties physical infrastructure.
The project will aid the competitiveness and efficiency of both counties economies.
The proposed road will result in a safer transportation route for motorists and pedestrians as well as reducing the number of accidents along the N17.
The project will result in a reduction in travel time and improvements to communication links.
The N17 road improvement will improve the environment of Tuam, Milltown, Ballindine and other local communities living along the existing route.

See plan of 5 possible route corridors under consideration for new N17 Tuam Claremorris route. June 2008
(pdf, 3,285 kbs, Last Updated: )

Update on N17 Tuam Claremorris Road Scheme June 2009

Galway National Roads Design Office, have recently been studying route options for a new national primary road linking Tuam and Claremorris, bypassing the towns of Milltown and Ballindine. This work is being carried out on behalf of Mayo County Council and Galway County Council and is funded by the National Roads Authority. The N17 Tuam Claremorris scheme is an integral part of the Atlantic Corridor, which is a major infrastructure initiative contained with Transport 21.

The study to find a new route has now reached Emerging Preferred Route Stage, where a draft route is put on public display and observations and comments are invited from members of the public and landowners, before a final route selection report is published.

Public Consultation Sessions were held at Ballindine Community Centre on Wednesday 24th June and at Ard Ri House Hotel Tuam on Thursday 25^th June. Drawings and maps of the proposed scheme were on display and members of the design team were available to respond to queries. Both days were well attended with many useful comments and information provided to assist the design team.

The route selection process has resulted in Route C being recommended as the Emerging Preferred Route.

Download: Map of Emerging Preferred Route

It is now intended to optimise the route and to submit a Final Route Selection Report to the National Roads Authority for approval, following which, the project team will recommend the route to Mayo County Council and Galway County Council for inclusion in their respective County Development Plans.

Download: Emerging Preferrred Route Brochure

Anyone seeking further information on the scheme is invited to contact Galway National Roads Design Office at

091 705387

Or by email at

nrdo@galwaycoco.ie