Relief road for Galway town risks becoming ‘cul-de-sac’ for larger vehicles without further funding
The future of the Athenry Northern Relief Road, in County Galway, remains uncertain, with councillors warning the route could end abruptly if additional funding cannot be secured.
In June 2026, funding was confirmed under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) for Phase 2 of the project, a 940m stretch known as the “elbow” section running from the Presentation College roundabout to the junction with the L3103 at Ballygarraun South.
The funded section includes a new link across the Athenry railway line, but the road beyond that point is not covered by the HIIF allocation.
Athenry Relief Road northern area junctions
At this week’s meeting of the Athenry-Oranmore Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Cillian Keane asked council officials whether efforts were underway to secure funding for the remainder of the route.
Fine Gael Councillor Peter Feeney warned that without further investment, the partially completed road could effectively become a “cul-de-sac” for larger vehicles, creating difficulties for trucks and delivery traffic. Foggy weather causing visibility issues and bridge height fed into that concern as well.
Cllr Feeney added that the improved road would stop at the railway line, as he urged the local authority to continue pursuing funding for the next phase.
Councillors across the district acknowledged the importance of the relief road in easing congestion in Athenry but stressed that the project must be completed in a way that does not create new transport challenges.
“The relief road will offer so many benefits to the town,” Independent Councillor Martin McNamara said. He also called for continued engagement with residents in Ballygarraun, who will be most directly affected by the construction and eventual completion of the scheme.
Council officials said the HIIF allocation represents just one element of the overall funding strategy for the relief road. Discussions are ongoing with Iarnród Éireann regarding the railway crossing and the future progression of the route beyond the rail line.
Director of Services Liam Hanrahan said the local authority is hopeful that once Phase 2 is delivered it will be in a stronger position to seek funding for the remaining section.
However, he said any future progress would depend on engagement with both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Iarnród Éireann in relation to the railway bridge and the next phase of the project.