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

Vanquished wrote: »

You might elaborate on this "political influence".

It makes perfect sense for the M20, M7 & N18 to intersect at the Rosbrien interchange. The N18 (Southern Ring Road phase 2 section) should be a motorway but that's another story.

Also, the two toll plazas are in Limerick city and not County Clare.

When FG were in the opposition benches, the bridge at CratloeMoyle was supposed to be the start of the M7 but due to the fact that the feared no one would use the Limerick Tunnel due "Learners" been banned from Motorways and instead changed it to a Dual Carriageway and fact the matter is that the Tolls are in both sides of Clare from the old demographics of the Clare - Limerick divide of the River Shannon.
:rolleyes:

paul2013 wrote: »

I heard Sean O'Neill of Transport Infrastructure Ireland this morning stating that the next biggest project that that they have in mind is the N6 Galway city Bypass :rolleyes: and the M20 Cork to Limerick . So we will not see continuation of a Dual Carriageway of the N17 to Sligo for 10-15 years:(

I'd have no problem with that to be honest.
While there are parts of that Charlestown to sligo road in bad need of improvement, Galway is coming to a standstill effecting major business and tourism.
The motorway between Limerick and Cork would also effect far more people one would think.

kippy wrote: »

I'd have no problem with that to be honest.
While there are parts of that Charlestown to sligo road in bad need of improvement, Galway is coming to a standstill effecting major business and tourism.
The motorway between Limerick and Cork would also effect far more people one would think.

Yes. Disappointing as it is the projects mentioned are more urgent. Maybe some realignment works on bad stretches might as much as can be hoped for in short or medium term

Lads, like many of you here I have been following this thread from the beginning and am a semi regular poster.

It is not just the reduced travel times that are important here, although I can see why they are the main talking point.

The motorway not only reduces travel time, increases safety and cuts pollution, it also opens up massive opportunities for the west. I think Knock airport will be the biggest winner here.

As other have said, big thanks to M17, never self promoting, never limelight seeking, just consistently taking pictures day after day over the entire route without any fuss. Never complained about the weather or the the fact he (or she, I honestly don't know) had to do this alone. It's refreshing to have all the facts laid out with clear pictures of the progress with out feeling the need to include a quick selfie. The only time m17 broke from his usual style was to honour his trusty bike beside the M17 sign. Well done m17, I know this thread will still be popular for years to come as people will want to look back at it.

The biggest winner today is the proposal for a greenway on the closed railway from Athenry to Collooney in Sligo and onward to Enniskillen, which is now a shoe in of an idea despite continued rearguard opposition from councils.

The biggest loser today is West on Track and the Western Rail Corridor.

jasper100 wrote: »

godskitchen wrote: »

Lads, like many of you here I have been following this thread from the beginning and am a semi regular poster.

It is not just the reduced travel times that are important here, although I can see why they are the main talking point.

The motorway not only reduces travel time, increases safety and cuts pollution, it also opens up massive opportunities for the west. I think Knock airport will be the biggest winner here.

As other have said, big thanks to M17, never self promoting, never limelight seeking, just consistently taking pictures day after day over the entire route without any fuss. Never complained about the weather or the the fact he (or she, I honestly don't know) had to do this alone. It's refreshing to have all the facts laid out with clear pictures of the progress with out feeling the need to include a quick selfie. The only time m17 broke from his usual style was to honour his trusty bike beside the M17 sign. Well done m17, I know this thread will still be popular for years to come as people will want to look back at it.

I wonder about that though?

Given Shannon is bigger, and offering more destinations, its a lot closer for people from Galway, Athlone etc. now.

Would Shannon not be the bigger winner?

I think it will probably be a wash.....it will also make the trip to Shannon easier and a lot shorter for many in South Mayo and North Galway. It makes the trip to Knock shorter and easier for those living in Galway city (while at the same time making their trip to Shannon shorter as well)

Middle Man wrote: »

Why are so many people in Ireland passionately anti-rail?

Other countries including the US are actually building railways but no, instead of correcting our laughable planning system and building higher to utilise our railways like other nations, we're closing them. Our motorways are really just getting Ireland out of the dark ages. We now need serious rail investment on top of vital motorway network completion projects such as the M20.

No one would argue that the main lines to Cork, Waterford, Galway, Belfast and Sligo don't need serious investment...that's just not the same as investing in vanity branch lines to connect small towns in Galway, Mayo and Sligo.

Why is everyone totally against the Rail Corridor along the West of Ireland? It has been plagued with closing it since it reopened. If the foot was put down on the train on the track I'm sure the train would equally compete with Motorway and as for the timetables there as dire as a snails pace and rolling stock should be upgraded to Intercity and not commuter :pac:

first cars/trucks passing at the rear of my house, Tuam end

Can anyone confirm that it is open at Gort and all the way to Tuam? Thanks, heading that way at 4.30 so hoping its all up and running..

How much of an effect will this have on the traffic at Baile Chlair(not saying the English version of the town since it is not mentioned on the signposts:))? Will a lot of people coming from North of Baile Chlair now take the M17 and not the old N17 to their jobs/shopping in Galway City?