WATCH: Gort to Tuam motorway opens today

IT has been at least 20 years since the M17 M18 motorway was first officially mooted and today the 57km route will open to traffic.

Transport Minister Shane Ross will open the motorway this morning and vehicles will get to begin using Tuam's long-awaited 4km bypass also from today.

 

An estimated 30,000 vehicles will travel along the M17-M18 Gort to Tuam motorway every day while in the region of 15,000 to 18,000 vehicles are expected on the Tuam bypass each week day.

At its peak the massive road project employed 800 people and business and political interests are hoping that now the routes are open, improved access will lead to further employment investment in the area.