Councillors approve Galway city bypass
A 25km outer bypass of Galway city, which will include a fifth bridge over the Corrib river, has been approved by Galway Corporation and the county council.
City councillors voted 9 to 5 in favour of the #113 million project.
The roadway, which has been opposed by some local residents and environmental groups, includes 14km of roadway to the east of the Corrib, a new bridge south of Menlo village, and a link to a new western approach road.
The eastern section of the project will be funded by the National Roads Authority while the new regional link road to the west, the R336, will be funded by the Department of the Environment. Both sections are due to be completed in 2006.
A Labour member of the city council, Ms Catherine Connolly, said the impact of the roadway on local communities had not been taken into account.
"The overwhelming response from the public has been against it, and yet this project is being steamrolled ahead," she said. `'I would like to see a transport initiative which would include public transport and a rail system."