Tuam - Transport

Transport

• Tuam is served by the N17 road (Galway to Sligo) and the N83 road (to Ballyhaunis) as well as R332 and R347. A bypass of the N17 (avoiding the currently congested junctions to the west of the town) is also planned, with land acquisition commencing by Galway County Council in late 2006. It is interesting to note that the design of this highway includes a bridge over the existing mothballed railway lines, thus acknowledging the potential future re-opening of the line.
• Tuam railway station is located on the for the moment disused railway line from Limerick to Sligo. There was a successful campaign (West-on-track) to have the line reopened as a Western Railway Corridor which was recognised in the Transport21 project. Construction work is well underway (with a 2009 opening date) on the line between Ennis and Athenry. Passengers trains will run again between Limerick and Athenry/Galway with further extensions planned. Tuam railway station opened on 27 September 1860, closed to passenger traffic on 5 April 1976 and finally closed altogether on 18 December 1978. The rail lines were heavily used by trains transporting sugar beet to the Irish Sugar Factory (Comhlucht Siúcra Éireann Teo.) formerly located off the Ballygaddy Road. The train line was used during the filming of "The Quiet Man", and can be seen when John Wayne disembarks at Ballyglunin, around 6 km (4 mi) from Tuam.
• Tuam is served by Bus Éireann routes 25, 52, 64, 417, 429 and 433.