Roads project could bridge €63m investment

Providing a new Shannon crossing and associated link roads in Killaloe and Ballina could “bridge” a total investment of €63 million, a local Minister of State has claimed.
Minister for Public Transport and Commuter Affairs, Alan Kelly estimates the construction of a new bridge linking Ballina and Killaloe, a Killaloe Bypass and upgrading of the Ballina to Birdhill regional road costing over €40.6m could deliver an overall €63m boost to the local economy, between construction and the savings on journey times.
Minister Kelly made the claim after Transport Minister Leo Varadkar approved the allocation of €500,000 to Clare County Council allowing the River Shannon Crossing Project to be brought forward to An Bord Pleanála for consideration.
Minister Varadkar 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 last July.
“This will progress this much-needed project, through planning to CPO status. This is great news for the area and the start of what will hopefully dramatically overhaul the local transport infrastructure and negate the regular traffic chaos in the area,” Minister Kelly said.
“I have been pushing for this project within the department for quite a while and I am delighted to see it progressing. As a local resident, I am passionate about this project and I have worked hard to make sure it was brought to the top of the political agenda; there is still a job to do to secure this funding in the future from the Department of Transport,” he said.
“Whilst the project may still need to be approached on a phased basis in the future, this project has the added benefit of the capacity to be built in stages so I am confident I can secure extra future funding,” he stated.
Welcoming Minister Varadkar’s announcement, Clare Deputy Michael McNamara noted the Shannon crossing is one of four priority/strategic regional road projects the department is seeking to advance in the next number of years.
“This is good news for Killaloe and South-East Clare. Following the planning stage, it is hoped the project will proceed to CPO stage later this year. The project, when completed, will be a massive boost to the east of the county, by way of giving greater connectivity to the M7 and beyond. It will also be a major help to tourism growth, economic development and will provide much-needed traffic relief for the towns of Killaloe and Ballina,” Deputy McNamara said.
Deputy Joe Carey described the new bridge as a vital transportation link in the Mid-West Region, while Deputy Pat Breen stated the decision illustrates the Government’s commitment to the project.
“People from Killaloe and Ballina have to cross the narrow bridge, which is under severe pressure trying to sustain the heavy volumes of traffic on a daily basis. We are determined to get this project moving,” he said.
Clare County Council senior engineer, Tom Tiernan also said the news underlines the Government’s commitment to seeing a vital infrastructure project being progressed.
“The Shannon Crossing Project, once completed, will significantly enhance connectivity between the East Clare area and the new M7 Limerick to Dublin Motorway, as well as the wider north Tipperary area. It will facilitate the opening up of development and investment opportunities in the wider region as the economy recovers in the future,” he stated.