2018 earliest completion time for Gort to Tuam road project

That's according to Galway East TD Michael Kitt who has received confirmation from the National Roads Authority that the contruction phase is expected to take three and a half years.The N17/N18 improvement scheme is a public private partnership project and is part of the government's infrastructure stimulus plan.The entire scheme is costed at 550 million euro.The NRA has informed Deputy Kitt that it has recommenced dialogue with the preferred bidder and a contract is expected to be signed next year.Deputy Kitt attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications in the Dail today where CEO of the NRA Fred Barry said progress with the contract was 'well advanced'.