The long awaited Gort -Crusheen Bypass is expected to open within the next three weeks.
Work to finally link the 22 kilometre dual carriageway with the Ennis Bypass gets underway today and the project will be completed by the 12th of November.
However Ennis to Galway commuters are being warned to expect delays in the meantime, as a section of the N18 is closed to allow for the completion of the roadworks.
Work on the The N 18 Gort to Crusheen scheme which extends from Craggard, south of Crusheen to north of Gort at Ballingers Corner began in October 2008 as part of Transport 21.
Once completed it will tie in with Ennis Bypass -M 18 motorway to Limerick and link into the East and South via the Tunnel significantly cutting journey times.
Today work begins to link the Gort Crusheen Bypass to the M 18 and this will involve a closure of the current N 18 Ennis to Galway road from from the townland of Cragard outside Crusheen to the start of the Ennis Bypass
Galway bound traffic will have to turn off Barefield Interchange Junction and through Barefield while Clare bound motorists will have to come off the N18 at the new flyover via the R458.
The closure will remain in place until Sunday 7th November and a spokesperson for Galway County Council says all other ancillary works will then be completed by the 12th – with the 22 kilometre duel carriageway expected to open shortly afterwards
