A NEW MOTORWAY will be opened today.

The M17/18 Gort to Tuam motorway is set to reduce travel times to and from the northwest.

The 54km stretch of road will mean that motorists will be able to avoid the towns of Tuam, Claregalway and Clarinbridge.

The road is set to be opened this morning by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.

“This is a significant step forward in helping to realise the Atlantic Economic Corridor which my own Department is helping to drive,” said Ring.

The next logical step is for this motorway to be extended to Claremorris and I will be extremely keen to see this happen.

The motorway has been long awaited as a means of reducing long traffic times in the area.

It has been under construction for three years and is reported to have cost half a billion euro to complete.

Traffic is expected to be allowed onto the motorway by late afternoon.

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