No Galway Ring Road works until 2029 as completion timeframe confirmed
Galway County Council has taken the first step in the public procurement process for the construction of the N6 Galway City Ring Road
Construction of the long-awaited N6 Galway City Ring Road is not expected to begin until 2029, with a projected completion date in 2032, Galway County Council has revealed in a preliminary market consultation published today.
The consultation in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is the first step in a public procurement process in respect of the road, and follows the withdrawal of High Court proceedings against the project last week.
Property acquisition has already commenced, and the scheme – which has been designated as a national critical infrastructure project under the Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 – is now advancing toward detailed design and contract procurement.
The market consultation brief reveals that Galway County Council expects to appoint a delivery consultant in Spring 2027, followed by the approval of the procurement strategy by the second quarter of that year.
A contract notice and pre-qualification process is slated for the third quarter of 2027, with a shortlist of tenderers confirmed before the end of that year.
Invitations to tender are anticipated in the first quarter of 2028, leading to a contract award in the final quarter of 2028 and mobilisation on site in early 2029. The main works construction period is expected to last approximately 36 months.
The project comprises 17.5km of new road – specifically 5.6km of single carriageway from the R336 Coast Road west of Bearna to the N59 Letteragh Junction, and 11.9km of dual carriageway from Letteragh to the existing N6 at Coolagh, Briarhill.
Major engineering elements include a bridge over the River Corrib with no instream piers, as well as two viaducts across the University of Galway sporting campus and non-designated priority habitat at Menlough.
It will also involve two tunnels beneath the Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation near Lackagh Quarry and under Galway Racecourse. The works also encompass 10 underbridges, seven overbridges, four main link roads, and environmental mitigation measures including bat foraging habitat enhancements north of Menlo Castle.
To facilitate the construction, the scheme involves the demolition of 44 residential properties and the acquisition of 10 more, alongside the acquisition of 17 farm buildings, the demolition of two industrial properties, two commercial properties, and one protected structure.
Galway County Council and TII are considering procuring the main works through a single design and build contract using an NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract target cost model, according to the brief.
It notes that a target cost arrangement would help manage uncertainties such as ground and groundwater conditions at the Lackagh Tunnel without forcing contractors to include excessive risk allowances in their bids.
Separate advance works packages – covering surveys, ground investigation, archaeology, ecological works, site clearance, and early utility diversions – will be procured ahead of the main contract.
Meanwhile, the construction of temporary and permanent stables at Galway Racecourse, which must be operational before existing stables are demolished for the racecourse tunnel, will fall outside the main road works contract.
An online market engagement event via Microsoft Teams is scheduled for November 26, with a deadline of December 4 for the return of completed market engagement questionnaires.