Killaloe Bypass gets go ahead..

highlydebased

In today's Irish Times. First I've ever heard of this

PLANS FOR a €41 million bridge and bypass of Killaloe have received a major boost.

This follows Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar giving the go-ahead to Clare County Council to publish statutory orders seeking approval from An Bord Pleanála for the two projects – the Shannon bridge crossing and Killaloe bypass.

For many years, there have been traffic snarl ups on the 18th-century bridge that connects Killaloe and Ballina on the Shannon.

Only 4.8 metres in width in places (Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge is 3.8 metres wide), the 13-arch bridge is the main crossing point on the Shannon between the Co Galway town of Portumna and Limerick city.

Built to accommodate the horse and cart, the bridge is now being used by commercial traffic as a way of accessing Dublin or the west coast without having to go through Limerick.

The Clare and north Tipperary councils have installed traffic lights to regulate traffic on the bridge. The new bridge is planned for one kilometre downstream of Killaloe.

The estimated cost of the project is €41 million and can be split into three phases. They are the Killaloe bypass (€11.93 million), the Shannon bridge crossing (€12 million) and the works on the regional R494 road (€16.6 million). The protected status of the Killaloe bridge has ruled out any upgrading works as they would be contrary to the development plans for Clare and North Tipperary.

Lady Chatterton

The Clare Champion carried a report on the new bridge crossing too, it is excellent news for East Clare/North Tipp, I never thought it would happen. It will be great to see the back of those awful traffic lights on the existing bridge. Anyone who uses the bridge on a regular basis will know that there is frequently very long queues of traffic waiting to cross the bridge.

http://www.clarechampion.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7043:40m-splash-on-new-killaloe-bridge&catid=74:general&Itemid=60


It has been a great week for the area, Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht opened a new 2 million euro moorings and walkway on the Shannon Navigation in Killaloe on Thursday last. The new moorings provide space for about 30 vessels and will be card reader operated, with water service bollards, as well as an upgraded boat pump out facility adjacent to the Killaloe library. This should hopefully be a further boast to tourism in the area.


Image - John Kelly, Clare Champion.


http://www.clarechampion.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7063:minister-opens-2m-waterway-development-&catid=64:south&Itemid=56

littlesthobo

Its great news alright. Never thought it would happen with the recession. I avoid killaloe and cross in O Briensbridge when i travel to Ennis, much quieter road

golden8

Its a strange Rec. they say they dont have money but then they have this project coming on stream. Also Clare Co Co has got 7 brand new Isuzu 7.5 tonne tipper trucks. I have seen them in Limerick with brand new liveries on them.

Its great that the Killaloe project is going ahead.

RockyTwoArms

FYI;

Links for reports are dead so far but should be online soon;
http://www.clarecoco.ie/roads-and-transport/news/killaloe-bypass-shannon-bridge-crossing-and-r494-improvement-scheme-compulsory-acquisition-of-land.html

Interesting land owners;
http://www.clarecoco.ie/roads-and-transport/news/killaloe-bypass-shannon-bridge-crossing-and-r494-improvement-scheme-public-notice-11293.pdf

mikemac1

golden8 wrote: »

Its a strange Rec. they say they dont have money but then they have this project coming on stream.

Junior minister for transport up the road in Portroe
Anything is possible if someone wants it done

And ministers love to spend money in their own area

There has been talk of this bridge for years and years now, I hope this doesn't breakdown

Lady Chatterton

mikemac1 wrote: »

Junior minister for transport up the road in Portroe
Anything is possible if someone wants it done

And ministers love to spend money in their own area

There has been talk of this bridge for years and years now, I hope this doesn't breakdown

The funny thing is, the people of Killaloe can't even vote for Alan Kelly (North Tipp) It doesn't stop him sending us his newsletter though.