Tipperary infrastructure project is running over budget by millions
Final design for the N24 project is expected to go on public display in October
A major road infrastructure project in Tipperary is running over budget by millions of euros.
The significant expenditure overrun on the Transport Infrastructure Ireland N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction and Oola project has been questioned by auditors.
Approval was received in May 2019 to proceed with the procurement of Technical Consultancy Services for Phases 1 to 4 of the project.
The cost of the four phases, which included concept and feasibility, option selection, design and environmental evaluation and statutory processes, was originally set at € 6.3 million inclusive of VAT and it is now expected to cost in the region of €10m, inclusive of VAT.
The project has been in design since 2019 and has been extended to include bypasses of Monard and Oola, along with an addition of 15km of active travel, which would account for the cost increases.
The original ‘deliverables’ of the project have been extended in length and scope for a number of different reasons. Changes to national policies and standards since the designer was appointed have had a significant impact on the costs of the project.
It is understood that auditors have been fully appraised of the reasons for the overruns and further meetings are due to take place between the auditors and local authority representatives involved in the project.
Tipperary County Council, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport are developing the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction and Oola project.
The aim of the project is to resolve the transportation issues identified within the study area and determine an appropriate sustainable solution which meets the project objectives.
The project has been identified as a priority investment in the Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030.
“The project has been in design since 2019 and has increased in length and scope since its initial announcement on the National Development Plan. The project team has successfully extended the Transport Solution to include bypasses of Monard and Oola along with an addition of 15km of active travel,” said John Nolan, Senior Engineer with Tipperary County Council.
The engineer said that significant changes to national policies and standards had been introduced since the Lead Designer Arup Ireland was appointed.
“While these have increased the design costs of project, they have been implemented for improved outcomes for the environment, for road safety and for reduced impact of the project on climate change. A slowdown in funding due to Covid has also led to cost increases.
Despite the challenges that these changes have introduced to the project, Tipperary County Council is confident that the design being brought forward by Arup and managed by Mid West Road Design Office is the correct solution with major positive safety and journey time benefits. The design team is in the final stages of preparing the documents for submission to the Government for approval,” said John Nolan.
The engineer said that it was expected that the final design would go on public display in October and that Government approval was anticipated in quarter one of 2027 for CPO advertisment at that stage.