M21 - Limerick to Rathkeale/Foynes [Adare bypass under construction; remainder pending]

I don't see how any "temporary, non dual-carriageway, link" could possibly work. As the new motorway is north of the existing N21, westbound traffic would have to cross the eastbound carriageway to access it. That isn't going to be possible without sticking another roundabout (which doesn't have planning permission) there.

Basically any temporary measure is not realistic unless it complies with the existing planning permission. And even if a Part 8 or something was rushed through to facilitate some temporary measure, it would still be at least as much work and hassle as building the planned tie-in.

Unless something drastic happens, I expect earthworks to be well ahead of schedule by end of 2025. The lads doing the work have been as good as on site for months and will be ready to get stuck in in January. The Maigue bridge structure will also be well underway by end of 2025. The contractor will be saying "pay us to build the tie-in east of Adare and we'll have all done by original completion date". Hopefully we'll have a sensible Minister to make the call.

just looking at google maps there and the aerial photos are updated.. outline or route of the new road can be clearly seen… looks like some bit of work from rathkeale to what i presume is the junction for askeaton has been done as well..

Updated M21 route flyover by Dronehawk, starting outside Rathkeale and ending at Gorteen.

Maybe they just got some proper legal advice?

Looking at the previous comments Im probably out of my depth here but how do these things usually go as of now? Have been hearing the work is going to begin in January, what kind of work comes first exactly? Diggers on the ground and away they go? Or does more surveying or non-excavation work need to be done first? Is there anymore red tape or can they crack on? Can see from the videos there has been some work done already, in that the route has been drawn/mapped out. Is there a rough timeline of the various things done when building a road? (I know next to nothing about the construction/road building industry so apologies if this questions are basic (or already answered elsewhere). Just curious as to how they usually go about it

What is the train line for?

Trains apparently ☺️

I presume that the Adare bypass will be N21 initially to allow all traffic to avoid Adare during RC. Will it stay as N21 until Patrickswell to Rathkeale is open?

I took a drive down a few local roads in the area last friday to see if any works were progressing. The enabling work must be nearly complete. A few items of plant near the woodlands roundabout end and looked like archaeological work ongoing on the limerick side of the L-1424 Clounanna Rd.

Any sign of the contract being signed? Nothing on limerick socials anyway.

Looking forward to seeing this project progress as it is on my commute which hopefully will be easier by 2027

Hi, someone mentioned "by 2027". Does this mean this will be completed in 2026?

Re Newcastle West. You will have the same volume of traffic going through there as today so I don't see any improvement or disimprovement.

The tailback volume for NCW might reduce as people going to the north side of Tralee or Listowel might go via Foynes. NCW destined traffic might go via Ardagh.