Galway Bay fm newsroom - A preferred route has been approved for the 1.2 million euro overhaul of the Kirwan roundabout in the city.
City officials and engineers had come up with 6 options to convert the 5-arm roundabout into a traffic light junction.
At last evening's meeting of the local authority, councillors narrowly voted to accept the route recommended by engineers - with many voicing strong opposition to the now preferred route.
There was heated debate last evening as councillors debated the merits of the preferred route presented to them by a project manager from engineering firm Halcrow Barry.
That is option 3B - which consultants deem the best option for reducing traffic delays and rat runs through nearby residential areas.
Kirwan roundabout will be replaced with a 4-arm signalised junction while the Coolagh Road will be diverted to form a 3-arm signalised junction on the N84 Headford Road.
However, a left slip lane will be constructed allowing access to the Coolagh Road from the Headford Road.
Not all councillors were satisfied with the route - Councillors Mark Lohan and Mike Cubbard felt better options were being ignored due to cost concerns.
Councillor Declan McDonnell questioned the claim that rat runs through Tirellan would be reduced by 90 percent - while Councillor Michael Crowe said it was difficult to have faith in the estimations given the disappointment of the Briarhill junction.
City CEO Brendan McGrath revealed that Transport Infrastructure Ireland has recently warned that if the allocated funds are not spent soon, the local authority would lose the money.
Councillors ultimately voted to accept the preferred route by a majority of 9 to 7 - setting the ball in motion for the project to proceed to the design and planning stage.
It's expected that the project will proceed to tender and construction stages next year, with final delivery expected in 2019.
