Design update for Cahir to Limerick Junction section of N24 is now on public display

Tipperary County Council, in partnership with Limerick City & County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport published the second Design Update for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project on Friday, October 25. 

In January 2023 Design Update No. 1 was published for the Preferred Transport Solution, including a provisional corridor and junction locations for the road component, demand management proposals, and potential active travel routes.

Since Design Update No. 1, the design team have progressed the design of the Preferred Transport Solution to take account of results from site surveys (including geotechnical investigations, topographical surveys and environmental surveys) and landowner engagement.

Following a detailed appraisal of the potential active travel routes previously published in January 2023, an active travel corridor has been identified within which active travel facilities will be provided where a targeted need has been identified.

The Active Travel component aims to encourage walking and cycling for work, school and leisure, linking communities, promoting healthier lifestyles, and reducing transport emissions.

Direct active travel links between built-up areas along the project will encourage modal shift, the use of sustainable forms of transport and inter-modal connectivity. The Active Travel Corridor is identified on Design Update No. 2 drawings.

As part of the design development for the road component, there are a number of locations where deviations from the corridor previously published in January 2023 are currently being considered by the Design Team and accordingly the corridor has been extended at these locations.

These extended areas of the corridor are identified on Design Update No. 2 drawings and the project team are now seeking feedback from the public regarding the potential changes.

Tipperary County Council says 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.

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.

The 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.

Ms. Sinead Carr, Chief Executive, Tipperary County Council welcomed the announcement:

“The upgrading of the N24 is a priority for Tipperary County Council and we welcome the second Design Update of the Preferred Transport Solution for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project. 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.”

Mr. John Moran, Mayor, Limerick City and County Council also welcomed the announcement:

“The publication of Design Update No. 2 for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project today is another step forward for a more reliable, sustainable, multi modal transport solution. Intensive consultation with landowners and stakeholders will ensure that the potential impacts on landowners are minimised as much as possible.

"The project will have a positive impact both for the local communities but also for balanced regional development.  It moves us closer now to a time when each of our four regional cities are connected with more acceptable road infrastructure. Limerick City & County Council looks forward to our continual partnership with Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance this project through the next phases.”  

Dr. Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council also welcomed the announcement:

“Limerick City and County Council welcomes the publication of Design Update No. 2 for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project. The significant reduction of heavy commercial vehicles and cars from the town and villages along this section of the N24 corridor will create a more attractive environment for people living and working in these communities. The inclusion of active travel infrastructure will have a positive impact on the communities along the project and will encourage modal shift and inter-modal connectivity. Limerick City & County Council continues to work with Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the project through the next phases.”

Design Update No. 2 drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.n24cahirlimerick.ie.

For further information visit www.n24cahirlimerick.ie or contact the project team at cahirlimerick@midwestroads.ie or telephone (061) 951000.