National Primary Route 6 Traffic Counts
Source: NRA Traffic Counts
1997
It is debatable as to whether a motorway replacement for the N6 was needed, considering its traffic levels. Only Athlone and Wolfe Tone Bridge in Galway city had anything major. Nonetheless, the new route was opened mainly in 2009 and 2010. A big drop-off of traffic is noticeable for the 2010 figures.
It is likely that the Athlone bypass's relentless rise in vehicle flow over the years will necessitate improvements within a decade. Since it functions as a distributor road for Athlone local movements, adding parallel access roads could help. Notably, although the recession resulted counts stagnating for 2008 and 2009, there was another increase in 2010 - possibly due to the completion of the final sections of M6 to the west side.
Show notes on counter locations
Old N6 sections (decommissioned except Athlone):
WolfeToneBr R336-01 : Wolfe Tone Bridge, Galway City
Derrydonnell N06-06 : 10km west of Craughwell at junction for Derrydonnell
Kilreekill N06-11 : N6, southwest of Kilreekill
Ballydangan N06-14 : N6, 10km east of Ballinasloe
Athlone N06-16 : N6 on Athlone Bypass about 3km west of N6/N55 junction
RochfortBr N06-25 : N6, 3km west of Rochfortbridge
M6 sections (went live 2009/2010):
Glennascaul West M6-4 : M6 slips-only west of M6/N18 Interchange
Glennascaul East M6-5 : M6 east of M6/N18 Interchange
Athenry M6-6a : M6 immediately east of Athenry Grade Separated Junction
Carrowkeel M6-7 : M6 immediately east of M6/N65 Interchange
West Ballinasloe M6-8 : M6 Southwest of Ballinasloe
Athlone East M6-1 : M6 East of Athlone bypass
Horseleap M6-23 : M6 Horseleap between N52 and N80 interchanges
Kilbeggan East M6-2 : M6 East of Kilbeggan
2009
2010
2011
The M6 opened mainly during 2009 and 2010. The above figures show M6 counts starting in 2009 when it was completed. It is counting very low levels of traffic for a cross-island route. Levels are probably being held down by the recession. However, the towns along the route can breathe a sigh of relief at finding themselves bypassed.
