An oral hearing into the proposed €187 million Crusheen-Gort bypass begins today.
The hearing, hosted by An Bord Pleanála, is expected to hear opposition from a number of local land-owners who have already lodged objections to the route.
The Department of the Environment has also raised concerns over the impact the road would have on an historic ring fort.
The proposal to remove the outer earthworks of the ring fort has also been criticised by folklorist and author Eddie Lenihan, who led a successful campaign to protect a fairy tree along the route of the Newmarket-on-Fergus bypass in 1999.
The by-pass consists of a 22km dual carriageway which will divide large areas of farmland along the route.
Galway County Council plans to compulsorily purchase more than 200 hectares of land on 103 farms to facilitate the new road.
The hearing at the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort will run until August 4th.