Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the signing of the Order designating the Galway City Ring Road as Critical Infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Act.
The Galway City Ring Road has been designated alongside two other major national transport projects – MetroLink and the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme – as part of the first designation under the new legislation.
Alongside the transport projects, the first package of designated Critical Infrastructure also includes the Greater Dublin Drainage Project, the Water Supply Project for the Eastern & Midlands Region, the Limerick (Bunlicky) Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Bioresource Centre, the North South 400kV Interconnector, the Moneypoint 400kV Series Capacitor Project in Laois and the Letterkenny 111kV Redevelopment Project in Donegal, demonstrating the regional spread of nationally significant infrastructure being prioritised under the Act.
The Critical Infrastructure Act, which came into force on 7 July 2026, is designed to accelerate the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure. Designation requires all public bodies involved in delivering these projects to prioritise them, reduce unnecessary delays, progress processes in parallel where possible and work together to fast-track delivery.
Welcoming the designation, Minister Canney said:
“This is a hugely significant step for the Galway City Ring Road. Its designation alongside two other major transport projects, MetroLink and the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, under the first designation of the Critical Infrastructure Act reflects its national importance and the vital role it will play in the future development of Galway and the wider western region.”
He continued:
“The Ring Road is about much more than reducing congestion. It will improve connectivity across the region, strengthen access to and from Connemara, and create the capacity needed to expand walking, cycling and public transport within Galway City, including the delivery of BusConnects Galway.”
The Galway City Ring Road will provide an orbital route around Galway from the N6 to west of Bearna, including a new bridge crossing of the River Corrib. The project comprises approximately 12.5 kilometres of motorway together with a further five kilometres of single carriageway west of Bearna.
The project is identified in the National Development Plan and is intended to enter construction by 2030. It is also a key element of the Galway Transport Strategy, helping to reduce traffic in the city centre while supporting sustainable transport and improving regional connectivity.
Minister Canney acknowledged that the project has faced significant challenges over recent years but said the designation represents another important milestone in progressing the long-awaited project.
Under the legislation, the designation requires relevant public bodies to work together to support the delivery of the project, including prioritising approvals and avoiding unnecessary delays wherever possible.
