Sometimes it feels that with every step forward we take with regards to transport and gridlock in this city, we take another ten back. And such is the case with the arrival of the improved N6 to the outskirts of the city.

With the Ballinasloe to Doughiska leg of the N6 now due for completion ahead of schedule, the spectre of new bottlenecks here in the city is inevitable in the absence of the long awaited outer bypass to take the N6 traffic around, rather than through, the city.

It was confirmed this week that the entire Galway to Dublin Road will be officially designated a motorway, with a speed limit of 120kph from end to end, enabling motorists travelling from Dublin to Galway to make the journey in as little as two hours.

But what then for the record breaking commuters as they hit the brakes approaching the Martin Roundabout on the east side of the city? What then, for the hundreds of thousands of cars whose destination is west of Galway city? What then, for the beleaguered Galway city residents, workers, and school goers who will then have the additional snarl up of motorway traffic battling its way across our city? What then for the Quincentennial Bridge?

Debate over the need for the proposed road has been largely divided over the last number of years, as was demonstrated at the oral hearing last year and it is understood that National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is referring the matter to the EU Commission. An Bord Pleanala was due to give a final decision on the planning for the outer bypass this month but that decision has now been delayed for at least another month.

Even if it is given the go-ahead, the 21 kilometre stretch of road, which will connect Spiddal and West Galway to the N6 motorway on the eastern side of the city at a cost in the region of €330 million and which will necessitate the creation of a new bridge over the River Corrib, is expected to take three years to complete.

So, while the improved Galway to Dublin road represents one step forward, it will create one giant bottleneck here in the city without the outer bypass.

Galway needs the outer bypass. There is no other logical solution. So let's get on with it!

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