€40m splash on new Killaloe bridge

The long-awaited Shannon bridge river crossing and associated link roads in Killaloe and Ballina, costing an estimated €40.6million, have finally got the green light.

Environment Minister Leo Varadkar this week approved the publication of the Statutory Orders by Clare County Council for the construction of the Killaloe bypass (€11.93m), the Shannon bridge crossing (€12m), Killaloe bypass (€11.93m) and upgrading works costing €16.6m on the existing regional road linking Ballina and Birdhill.
Clare and North Tipperary TDs hailed the announcement as a major boost for tourism in their respective regions.
Motorists tired of delays as a result of traffic jams on the historic bridge linking Killaloe and Ballina are relieved the Government has signalled its intention to go ahead with these major road projects, once funding becomes available.
Public representatives had questioned the Government’s commitment to completing the largest piece of road infrastructure ever planned for South-East Clare.
Ministerial approval will allow Clare County Council secure approval from An Bord Pleanála for the Environmental Impact Statement and the associated compulsory purchase order. If this process is successful, it could see this scheme being approved and the land being purchased over the next two years.
The river crossing and associated link roads were included in a list of five non-national routes of national strategic importance a few years ago.
It has a distinct advantage over the €40 million Northern Distributor Road, linking Coonagh with Castletroy through South-East Clare and other planned infrastructure in Meath and Offaly in that it is the only project of its kind that can be constructed in three distinct phases.
Senior engineer, Tom Tiernan told The Clare Champion the announcement is a major boost for the project as it facilitates proceeding to the CPO stage, which is the most critical one.
Mr Tiernan declined to speculate how long the An Bord Pleanála process could take, as it may involve conducting an oral hearing.
Senior executive engineer, Seán Lenihan, who has also been involved in progressing the project, said it would have huge benefits for Killaloe/Ballina and its hinterland.
Deputy Pat Breen said Clare and North Tipperary county councils and public representatives have been united in their determination to get this project moving.   
“At present, the people of Killaloe in Clare and Ballina in Tipperary have to cross the narrow bridge, which is under severe pressure trying to sustain the heavy volumes of traffic on a daily basis,” he said.
Party colleague, Deputy Joe Carey said it is a vital transportation link for the Mid-West region, particularly for people in Killaloe where traffic levels in the area makes life very difficult for locals and visitors alike.
He looked forward to swift progress being made through the various stages of the process following a “very positive announcement” for Clare.
Fianna Fáil Deputy Timmy Dooley said the decision would provide a welcome boost for tourism in East Clare and claimed the previous Government overcame the main hurdle. It had included the project in the list of strategic non-national routes.
“I was always confident that whatever Government was in power, the new crossing would be built. I am pleased the new Government are proceeding with a plan the previous one had put in place,” he said.
Labour Deputy Michael McNamara said he and Junior Minister Alan Kelly are acutely aware of the need for a new crossing.
Deputy McNamara explained the official sanction would ensure work could start on the road projects once funding becomes available and all the planning processes are completed.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Alan Kelly told The Clare Champion he “drove this project” and lobbied for ministerial consent. Deputy Kelly pointed out the splitting of the overall infrastructure into three different projects was instrumental in securing approval, as it is very difficult to secure the green light for any major capital project in the current difficult economic climate.
Asked about the absence of a ring fencing of funding, Deputy Kelly pointed out even if funding is available now, it couldn’t be spent because all the statutory planning processes are not completed. In a few years’ time, he hoped that funding would be put in place to start work on the Killaloe/Ballina bridge.
“I am only living three miles from the bridge and have been watching the traffic congestion at the bridge for the last 36 years. The construction of a new crossing is the priority and that is my preference, the other associated roads can follow afterwards,” he added.
The total length of the new Shannon crossing is 890 metres and entails the construction of a roadway, including two roundabout junctions and one T-junction. The span across the river will be 170 metres.
The route will travel in an easterly direction from the Killaloe side, crossing approximately 180 metres north of Clarisford Palace, continuing through an existing residential property and across to the western shore of the River Shannon, joining with the Ballina to Birdhill road at its junction with the old Nenagh road.
The roadway has been designed for a basic carriageway width of six metres, and the width is increased where necessary to accommodate turning movements. Provision has also been made for a two metre wide footpath and a 1.2m wide on-road cycle track on both sides of the road, over its full length.
Three junctions are proposed along the route with a roundabout at each end and a T-junction on the Killaloe side.
The deck of the new bridge will consist of four interior spans and two end spans.