Ballinasloe to Athlone N6 upgrade

Work is to begin next month on the stretch of the new N6 between Athlone and Ballinasloe, after contracts were signed this week at County Hall.The 20km dual carriageway is part of the new N6 Galway-Dublin road, and is the last link between Dublin and the outskirts of Galway city to go out to contract.It will join the Athlone bypass to the new Ballinasloe to Galway roadway - work has already started on that 56km route which will be completed in three years.The €90million contract for the Ballinasloe to Athlone roadway is the largest single contract ever signed by Galway County Council, and the project is being funded under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The design and build contract was awarded to Siac Wills JV Ltd., a joint venture between Siac Construction and Wills Brothers.According to Director of Services for Galway County Council, John Morgan, construction on the road is to start next month, and is expected to be completed in about two years.In addition to the 20km of dual carriageway, the project also consists of 4km of realigned local roads, 12km of accommodation access tracks and 14 new bridges.