Minister Ryan approves completion of Coonagh – Knockalisheen Road with additional sustainable transport measures

Minister Eamon Ryan T.D. has today approved the completion of the delivery of the Coonagh – Knockalisheen Road, County Limerick with the addition of sustainable transport measures in the surrounding area.

Following careful consideration of this project, and close engagement with the Moyross community and Limerick City and County Council, the full completion of the Coonagh – Knockalisheen Road has now been approved. This road scheme will take account of the overall development needs of Limerick, and will be complemented by sustainable transport features such as:

• Improved pedestrian / cycle accessibility for Moyross

• Improved Active Travel measures linking LIT, Mary Immaculate College, UL, and City Centre.

• Designation of one lane of the Dual Carriageway in each direction as a bus lane.

This scheme will ensure high quality connectivity for the community of Moyross and ensures that active and public transport modes are key components of the overall completion of the Moyross road scheme.

Commenting on the announcement Minister Ryan said:

“My goal in taking the time to review this project, and engaging with local officials and the community, was to produce the best possible outcome for Limerick and Moyross. What we have now agreed with Limerick City and County council that pedestrian access to the area will now be improved, including cycling and pedestrian routes that link LIT, Mary Immaculate College, UL, and Limerick City Centre. As part of the road scheme there will be designation of one lane of the new dual carriageway as a bus lane in each direction.

I also look forward to working with officials councillors and local communities on other ambitious public transport plans for Limerick including rail. Moyross deserves its road access and Limerick and Moyross also deserve first class active travel and public transport infrastructure that goes beyond roads. That is what I will now work to achieve.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• Following the sign off by the Minister the Department will write to limerick council informing them of the authorisation and empowering them to award the contract.

• The project will now move to construction stage and is programmed to take approximately 33 months to complete in its entirety, subject to covid restrictions.

• Within this programme the project will be completed in stages with Watch House Cross upgrade and the road from Coonagh to Knockalisheen taking approximately 20 months with the main works on Knockalisheen Road taking the remaining 13 months.