The Mountain Road Is Open!!

After what has felt like several geological eras, the entire A18 Mountain Road is officially open again.

Yes, you did read that right, you can now drive from Ramsey to Douglas without being forced to divert.

A section of the road has been shut since Monday, September 15, for what the DoI described as ‘drainage and carriageway refurbishment works’ at Kates Cottage and Keppel Gate.

This afternoon it was announced that the works are complete and that the route is now ‘fully open to traffic’.

A sentence that will be music to the ears of commuters, bikers, and anyone who’s been stuck behind a tractor detouring through the Tholt-y-Will backroads.

A spokesperson added: ‘We’d like to thank everyone for their patience whilst these works have been underway.’

Gef, speaking on behalf of the island’s collective sanity, would also like to thank the DoI, mainly for not extending it into November.

The department says it will be releasing photos in the coming days ‘to give a clearer picture of the extent of the works and why they were necessary.’

We’re hoping for some dramatic before-and-after shots, ideally with someone proudly pointing at a shiny new drain.

So, Manx motorists, rejoice! The Mountain Road is open. For now.