'Important step' as preferred option for N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project narrowed down

The preferred option corridor in the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project has been refined to a 100m wide corridor.

This Monday, an update has been published by Tipperary County Council, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport

The project is identified as a priority investment in the Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030. While the vast majority of the key piece of infrastructure will be in county Tipperary, the new transport corridor will commence in county Limerick. Oola will be bypassed as will the oft-highlighted dangerous Brooks Bridge between Pallasgreen and Oola.

Since the conclusion of Public Display No. 3 for the preferred transport solution, the design team have been progressing the design of the active travel, demand management and road components of the Preferred Transport Solution. Design update drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.n24cahirlimerick.ie

This refined 100m wide corridor lies predominantly within the 300m wide corridor that was published for the preferred transport solution in May 2022. However, following detailed consideration of landowner engagement, stakeholder feedback, environmental surveys, and design development, the corridor diverges at a number of locations.

In addition, provisional junction locations have been identified and are shown as shaded areas on the design update drawings. The junction layouts are currently being developed within these areas. Potential active travel routes and demand management measures have also been identified and are shown on the design update drawings.

The project will have a positive impact on the attractiveness of public transport. The improved road corridor will provide greater journey time savings and cater for an enhanced more reliable bus service between the cities of Limerick and Waterford. The transport solution will provide improved connectivity to Limerick Junction Railway Station and enable the provision of potential park and ride facilities transforming it into a mobility hub where all modes of transport can interchange.

New and improved active travel infrastructure is a key component of this project and direct active travel links between Limerick Junction and Tipperary Town will further encourage modal shift, the use of sustainable forms of transport and inter-modal connectivity.

Within Tipperary Town, new streets incorporating active travel infrastructure are proposed. These streets will help divert traffic away from Main Street. This, in combination with a series of demand management measures, such as signalisation of key junctions and the provision of signalised pedestrian crossings will encourage modal shift and assist in creating a more attractive environment for people living and working in the centre of Tipperary Town.

Today’s design update is an important step forward in the design development process as the project team continue to engage closely with landowners and various stakeholders.

Dr Pat Daly, chief executive, Limerick City and County Council said it is a welcome advancement as the project team progress the design of the preferred transport solution.

"Intensive consultation with landowners and stakeholders is vital to ensure that the potential impacts on landowners are minimised as much as possible. Along with removing heavy commercial vehicles and cars from the town centres and villages along this section of the N24 corridor, the inclusion of extensive active travel infrastructure along the existing N24 corridor will have a profound positive impact on the villages and communities along the existing N24 corridor. Limerick City & County Council looks forward to working with Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the project through the next phases," said Mr Daly.

Joe MacGrath, chief executive, Tipperary County Council said the upgrading of the N24 is a priority for Tipperary County Council.

"This infrastructure will improve connectivity between the towns and cities across the Southern Region and we acknowledge the significant economic and social benefits that derive from such investments. It will not only relieve the traffic bottleneck from within Tipperary Town but will also provide significant safety improvements along the full length of this section of the N24 corridor within the counties of Tipperary and Limerick," said Mr McGrath.

Design Update drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.n24cahirlimerick.ie