M17/M18 - Gort to Tuam [open to traffic]

tobdom · 25-09-2017 3:54pm

marno21 wrote: »

Remember as well that the N5 from Westport to Castlebar and Ballaghaderreen to east of Strokestown is being upgraded.

The only poor part that'll be left is between Termonbarry and Longford and the N4 which will likely be upgraded sooner rather than later.

Yea, but you're still looking at long distances of single-carriageway roads and in a lot of cases there are limited overtaking opportunities despite what would appear at 1st glance to be 'good roads'......

I say all of this as a previous frequent user of the N4/N5 (Achill <> Dublin) over many years and I certainly appreciated all of the incremental improvements that were made over those years, but as it stands, I would certainly be advocating the M17/M6 route from many parts Mayo once the new roads are open (this week!)

Benbecul97 · 25-09-2017 4:07pm

This becomes an issue with the N83 in Tuam as Claregalway is signed for the N83, yet the best way to get to Claregalway is via the M17, especially when traffic coming northbound approaching Tuam could've used J19 on the M17 to access Claregalway instead of going all the way up to Tuam to head back down the N83.

Benbecul97 wrote: »

Huh?? Why would someone go all the way up to Tuam, pass J19, only to head back down the N83 to get to Claregalway??

marno21 wrote: »

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make

Ok, wasn't clear to me. Your earlier sentence was talking about 1) heading south from Tuam to Claregalway via N83 and 2) heading north from Rathmorrissy to Tuam via M17. Can't see an issue.

MayoSalmon · 25-09-2017 4:07pm

tobdom wrote: »

Yea, but you're still looking at long distances of single-carriageway roads and in a lot of cases there are limited overtaking opportunities despite what would appear at 1st glance to be 'good roads'......

I say all of this as a previous frequent user of the N4/N5 (Achill <> Dublin) over many years and I certainly appreciated all of the incremental improvements that were made over those years, but as it stands, I would certainly be advocating the M17/M6 route from many parts Mayo once the new roads are open (this week!)

For safety yes but for speed no. Castlebar and anywhere east of it will most likely still be reached faster travelling the N4/N5

muddle84 · 25-09-2017 4:11pm

tobdom wrote: »

marno21 wrote: »

Remember as well that the N5 from Westport to Castlebar and Ballaghaderreen to east of Strokestown is being upgraded.

The only poor part that'll be left is between Termonbarry and Longford and the N4 which will likely be upgraded sooner rather than later.

Yea, but you're still looking at long distances of single-carriageway roads and in a lot of cases there are limited overtaking opportunities despite what would appear at 1st glance to be 'good roads'......

I say all of this as a previous frequent user of the N4/N5 (Achill <> Dublin) over many years and I certainly appreciated all of the incremental improvements that were made over those years, but as it stands, I would certainly be advocating the M17/M6 route from many parts Mayo once the new roads are open (this week!)

Travelled the same route myself twice a week for many years. The improvements made since 2001 when I started that travelling is immense.

dubhthach · 25-09-2017 5:05pm

muddle84 wrote: »

A better option would be to improve the N5 up to Tulsk and improve the N61 from Tulsk to Athlone. Then you are diverting traffic from longford and onto a motorway all the way to Dublin.
From Google maps
Castlebar to Dublin via Longford: 234km, 2h59min
Castlebar to Dublin via Tulsk & Athlone: 251km 3h3min

The problem is that Mayo <-> Tulsk goes through the site of Cruachan Aí, thence the reason they want to use a total new alignment well north of the current road.

road_high · 25-09-2017 5:27pm

marno21 wrote: »

Remember as well that the N5 from Westport to Castlebar and Ballaghaderreen to east of Strokestown is being upgraded.

The only poor part that'll be left is between Termonbarry and Longford and the N4 which will likely be upgraded sooner rather than later.

I don't think so? Isn't this a good wide standard S2? Might need a bit of sprucing up with surface/signs but from memory its a good road.

Paddystix · 25-09-2017 5:37pm

Looking forward to this opening, wonder how much traffic it will take away from town. Does be a nightmare trying to get out of estate on the Galway road in the mornings with the constant flow of traffic.

plodder · 25-09-2017 5:43pm

whitey1 wrote: »

Regarding the usage on this road....I was listening to Midwest and the presenter claimed that a lot of people from Mayo would use this new route as a way to get to Dublin. Some Mayo people were already using that route and hopping on the Motorway outside Galway. With the Tuam and Claregalway bottlenecks now gone from the equation I can see how that may be an attractive route. Any thoughts?

I find google maps to be pretty accurate in its time estimates. So, I did a comparison between the two routes, assuming the new Mway section from Athenry to Tuam is about 25km. It puts the new route a few minutes faster to Westport and a few minutes slower to Castlebar. So, pretty similar, but then at times you could get held up in places like Rathowen , Ballinalack on the old N4, and if you have the possibility to put cruise control on, then you might prefer the longer stretch of motorway anyway.

Personally, I tend to travel the route a fair bit, but at off peak times. So, I find the mway stretches pretty boring. I'd say I'll stick with the old route mostly.

Truckermal · 25-09-2017 5:43pm

I normally go to Sligo once a year and guess what I'm going tomorrow and will be hitting Oranmore during rush hour FML....

marno21 · 25-09-2017 6:13pm

road_high wrote: »

I don't think so? Isn't this a good wide standard S2? Might need a bit of sprucing up with surface/signs but from memory its a good road.

Didn't realise it was that good. Just a bypass of Termonbarry required so, including a new crossing of the River Shannon.

marno21 · 25-09-2017 6:15pm

Benbecul97 wrote: »

This becomes an issue with the N83 in Tuam as Claregalway is signed for the N83, yet the best way to get to Claregalway is via the M17, especially when traffic coming northbound approaching Tuam could've used J19 on the M17 to access Claregalway instead of going all the way up to Tuam to head back down the N83.

Ok, wasn't clear to me. Your earlier sentence was talking about 1) heading south from Tuam to Claregalway via N83 and 2) heading north from Rathmorrissy to Tuam via M17. Can't see an issue.

Claregalway should be signed ONLY via the M17 in Tuam, as it is the correct way to get there. If Claregalway is signed via the M17, the N83 becomes a useless national route as it serves 0 destinations.

This is the level of nonsense we have to deal with due to whingers in Galway County Council only moaning about the M17 because they get extra maintenance costs for these feeder routes to one off houses. The existing N17 has no national relevance after this new motorway opens and should be signed as such. The new motorway is designed to discourage traffic from the old N17 not encourage it.

m17 · 25-09-2017 7:53pm

M6 junction 19 (18/12/09-24/09/17) eastbound

25/09/17

youngblood · 25-09-2017 9:34pm

Would love to know the drive time from those going from Dublin to ennis?
What time savings can be made with this new road? etc

25-09-2017 10:14pm

I wonder just how many tourists have been misled by those new signs pointing to a road that isn't yet open.

JCX BXC · 25-09-2017 10:19pm

youngblood wrote: »

Would love to know the drive time from those going from Dublin to ennis?
What time savings can be made with this new road? etc

Go via Limerick?

youngblood · 25-09-2017 10:31pm

JCX BXC wrote: »

Go via Limerick?

Shoulda said midlands!

Hespy · 25-09-2017 10:38pm

I've witnessed a few loops being made of the roundabouts at kiltiernan in the last few weeks. The black plastic wraps didn't hold up too well!

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I wonder just how many tourists have been misled by those new signs pointing to a road that isn't yet open.

Quackster · 25-09-2017 11:23pm

youngblood wrote: »

Would love to know the drive time from those going from Dublin to ennis?
What time savings can be made with this new road? etc

From the centre of Ennis to the centre of Dublin, the distance is almost exactly the same whether you choose to take the M6 or M7. Any time saving taking the M6 will be from reduced congestion, particularly during the M7 widening roadworks.

JupiterKid · 26-09-2017 12:12am

marno21 wrote: »

Didn't realise it was that good. Just a bypass of Termonbarry required so, including a new crossing of the River Shannon.

I don't think a Termonbarry bypass is a big priority. It's not a bottleneck. And much of the N5 between Longford and Termonbarry was upgraded over 40 years ago when the village of Clondara was bypassed.

whitey1 · 26-09-2017 1:37am

tobdom wrote: »

muddle84 wrote: »

A better option would be to improve the N5 up to Tulsk and improve the N61 from Tulsk to Athlone. Then you are diverting traffic from longford and onto a motorway all the way to Dublin.
From Google maps
Castlebar to Dublin via Longford: 234km, 2h59min
Castlebar to Dublin via Tulsk & Athlone: 251km 3h3min

and currently (pre Tuam bypass + M17 opening) Castlebar to Dublin via Tuam, Claregalway, M6 is 279km 3h16min - about 180km of this distance is motorway (bar the Athlone N-road which is still a dual-carriageway)

I think once the new roads open, you can likely knock maybe the 16 mins off that and I think even from around Castlebar it's worth (from a time/comfort perspective) going the M6 to avoid going through towns/villages where your potential for getting held up or meeting traffic backlogs are much greater. That'd be my opinion anyway.....

This highway is being portrayed as some as a white elephant with detractors saying that there will be very low usership. I think it could get a large Mayo following as a new route to Dublin

From Castlebar to the new on-ramp in Tuam is about 40 mins (taking it real handy) and clear sailing all the way to Dublin from there on the Motorway. Even though it may seem like a wash, there are much fewer opportunities to get tied up going this new way, than there would be going up the N5 through Ballaghadereen and Strokestown.

So if we assume ny logic is sound, would it not make sense that any Mayo traveller who goes through Castlebar on the way to Dublin could benefit from this new route.....Louisburgh, Westport, Newport, Achill etc.

So apart from the time differentials between the various routes, there is also the convenience factor of travelling on the motorway...eg rest areas, service areas, lighting, emergency services.

Given the weather in the West of Ireland, I think there is a greater liklihood of delays travelling on the N5 on a wet day rather than going on the Motorway

motley · 26-09-2017 8:22am

I don't if anyone can answer here but would anyone have an idea of when the new road will be added to Google Maps?

wtd2008 · 26-09-2017 8:43am

We are nearly there! As a daily commuter from Tuam direction to Gort this is a godsend to me.

I have been watching the thread almost on a daily basis and have never been as interested in any thread.

I sincerely want to thank M17 for all his input. He has been an amazing source of detailed information and I have learnt so much.
I wish you the very best M17 and years of happy , safe driving for us all.

tobdom · 26-09-2017 9:06am

Is the road open from tomorrow morning, or at some point tomorrow after an official ceremony?

Benbecul97 · 26-09-2017 9:36am

marno21 wrote: »

Claregalway should be signed ONLY via the M17 in Tuam, as it is the correct way to get there. If Claregalway is signed via the M17, the N83 becomes a useless national route as it serves 0 destinations.

This is the level of nonsense we have to deal with due to whingers in Galway County Council only moaning about the M17 because they get extra maintenance costs for these feeder routes to one off houses. The existing N17 has no national relevance after this new motorway opens and should be signed as such. The new motorway is designed to discourage traffic from the old N17 not encourage it.

Ok, thanks for the explanation.

Benbecul97 · 26-09-2017 9:50am

tobdom wrote: »

Is the road open from tomorrow morning, or at some point tomorrow after an official ceremony?

Opening ceremony at 11am at junction 17 (M18) Kilternan.
M17/M18/Tuam Bypass open to traffic at 4pm.

joeKel73 · 26-09-2017 10:14am

Found this on YouTube from 2015, seems like a good time to reshare...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDru19gRWs8

Conba · 26-09-2017 11:15am

Advice on what is the best route from Limerick to Westport when this opens? R332->N84->R330 ?

m17 · 26-09-2017 11:54am

wtd2008 wrote: »

We are nearly there! As a daily commuter from Tuam direction to Gort this is a godsend to me.

I have been watching the thread almost on a daily basis and have never been as interested in any thread.

I sincerely want to thank M17 for all his input. He has been an amazing source of detailed information and I have learnt so much.
I wish you the very best M17 and years of happy , safe driving for us all.

I just want to say a big thanks to everyone for all the great comments over the past 32 months,to Chris533976 for getting the ball rolling back in July 07,to the moderators marno 21 you must know every road in this country,spacetweek for your work on www.Irishmotorysinfo.com keep up the good work and to all you guys for making this the best roads forum on board's happy and safe motoring form 4pm tomorrow all the best your m17

tydea · 26-09-2017 12:08pm

Hello everyone.
Do you know guys how many km will be from Gort to Galway when new motorway will be opened?
Thank you for help.

Reputable Rog · 26-09-2017 12:18pm

Anyone know the projected drivetime from Limerick City Centre to Galway City Centre ?

m17 · 26-09-2017 12:20pm

tydea wrote: »

Hello everyone.
Do you know guys how many km will be from Gort to Galway when new motorway will be opened?
Thank you for help.

M18 gort junction 16 to the gpo in Galway 45kms

26-09-2017 12:51pm

marno21 wrote: »

Claregalway should be signed ONLY via the M17 in Tuam, as it is the correct way to get there. If Claregalway is signed via the M17, the N83 becomes a useless national route as it serves 0 destinations.

This is the level of nonsense we have to deal with due to whingers in Galway County Council only moaning about the M17 because they get extra maintenance costs for these feeder routes to one off houses. The existing N17 has no national relevance after this new motorway opens and should be signed as such. The new motorway is designed to discourage traffic from the old N17 not encourage it.

I'm not really seeing the logic in going on the M17 if going Tuam to Claregalway to be honest. What route are you suggesting?

26-09-2017 12:59pm

Leia Red Ping-pong wrote: »

I'm not really seeing the logic in going on the M17 if going Tuam to Claregalway to be honest. What route are you suggesting?

Turning off at Annah Hill and going via Turloughmore?

I don't see the point either - I would be inclined to stay on the old road.

Benbecul97 · 26-09-2017 2:39pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Turning off at Annah Hill and going via Turloughmore?

I don't see the point either - I would be inclined to stay on the old road.

Time-wise I'd say it will 6 of one....The N17 (N83) though can be very slow with, in particular, farm machinery not properly using the hard shoulder....:mad:

joedomvince · 26-09-2017 3:09pm

Where have all the daily workers gone now? On the dole until the next project?

jenningso · 26-09-2017 3:11pm

Shot by Robert Lally

muddle84 · 26-09-2017 3:17pm

Benbecul97 wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

Turning off at Annah Hill and going via Turloughmore?

I don't see the point either - I would be inclined to stay on the old road.

Time-wise I'd say it will 6 of one....The N17 (N83) though can be very slow with, in particular, farm machinery not properly using the hard shoulder....:mad:

Is farm machinery required to use the hard shoulder though?

Benbecul97 · 26-09-2017 3:44pm

muddle84 wrote: »

Is farm machinery required to use the hard shoulder though?

Yes, slow moving vehicles should pull onto the hard shoulder to allow traffic build ups to pass. And its manners and the decent thing to do!

26-09-2017 3:55pm

Benbecul97 wrote: »

Time-wise I'd say it will 6 of one....The N17 (N83) though can be very slow with, in particular, farm machinery not properly using the hard shoulder....:mad:

You are far more likely to get behind slow moving traffic going via turloughmore and its a much more difficult road to overtake on. THere are some great stretches for overtaking on the "n17".

As an aside is there any junction between Annah hill and Rathmorrissey?

Benbecul97 · 26-09-2017 4:06pm

Leia Red Ping-pong wrote: »

You are far more likely to get behind slow moving traffic going via turloughmore and its a much more difficult road to overtake on. THere are some great stretches for overtaking on the "n17".

Sure, there are some great stretches for overtaking on the "n17" but with the level of traffic coming in the opposite direction its not always that easy to overtake.

Leia Red Ping-pong wrote: »

As an aside is there any junction between Annah hill and Rathmorrissey?

No

joedomvince · 26-09-2017 4:20pm

Deedsie wrote: »

Minding their own business. You should try it

That's uncalled for. I am just wondering if Roadstone/Sisk relocated their staff elsewhere now that's the Expressway is complete. My question is no different than the thousands of queries asked on this forum. Can a moderator please confirm?

Kevwoody · 26-09-2017 4:32pm

joedomvince wrote: »

That's uncalled for. I am just wondering if Roadstone/Sisk relocated their staff elsewhere now that's the Expressway is complete. My question is no different than the thousands of queries asked on this forum. Can a moderator please confirm?

Your questions all have an underlying tone of smugness, including your last question.

joedomvince · 26-09-2017 4:38pm

Kevwoody wrote: »

Your questions all have an underlying tone of smugness, including your last question.

How can a question have a tone of smugness?? I've been on this forum for years and have asked/answered many questions.

muddle84 · 26-09-2017 4:40pm

Benbecul97 wrote: »

muddle84 wrote: »

Is farm machinery required to use the hard shoulder though?

Yes, slow moving vehicles should pull onto the hard shoulder to allow traffic build ups to pass. And its manners and the decent thing to do!

I couldn't agree more that it is the decent thing to do when its safe to do so. But is it the law for them to travel on the hard shoulder? ( I am not arguing with you here just curious as to what the law is)

Sam Russell · 26-09-2017 4:41pm

Mod: Cut out the sniping. [@ joedomvince and Kevwoody]

Look forward to the opening tomorrow, and enjoy the joy of driving the newest motorway in Ireland from 4 pm tomorrow.

muddle84 · 26-09-2017 4:45pm

joedomvince wrote: »

Where have all the daily workers gone now? On the dole until the next project?

Any of the direct employees of the contractors would have moved onto the next job for that contractor. Any of the agency workers would have also moved onto the next project for god knows who.
Why would you think they would go on the dole?

paul2013 · 26-09-2017 4:49pm

Wishing you all a safe journey on the new M17/18 from Tomorrow Wednesday 27th of September 2017 at 16.00hrs . I'd like to thank M17 and his Trojan efforts of producing a Motorway from start to end. I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for your comments about the new road.

Safe driving and heed your speed and safe journey . Yours Paul2013

joedomvince · 26-09-2017 4:53pm

muddle84 wrote: »

Any of the direct employees of the contractors would have moved onto the next job for that contractor. Any of the agency workers would have also moved onto the next project for god knows who.
Why would you think they would go on the dole?

Thanks. Much appreciated. Just thought perhaps that they may have had to let some guys go if they no longer had work for them. Roll on the Galway bypass I say. Will be at the ribbon cutting tomorrow at 11am. Hope to see a nice crowd.

CrowdedHouse · 26-09-2017 4:57pm

I regularly travel to Oranmore, I could now do it all motorway bar a few Km M7/M18, it's considerably longer though but might try it Friday for the craic!

veryangryman · 26-09-2017 4:58pm

Jaysus just been thinking...

Must have been 7 years since the last bit of Motorway was built (barring upgrades on existing road).

Been too long

M17/M18 - Gort to Tuam [open to traffic]

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