Shannon tunnel will not open ahead of schedule

Hopes that the new €660 million road tunnel under the River Shannon would open almost two months ahead of schedule this Friday have been dashed by the National Roads Authority (NRA).

Speculation earlier this week suggested the new tunnel, which was scheduled to open on September 20, could be open by the weekend.
However, the NRA’s Séan O’Neill emphatically ruled out the possibility of an opening this Friday and instead predicted it should be open within the next two or three weeks.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, Mr O’Neill said matters are proceeding very well leading up to the traditional handover.
While the road structure is completed, he explained that full systems integrated testing involving all parties are continuing and they have to be completed to the satisfaction of all concerned before the project can be signed off by the NRA.
He also said that a toll of €1.80 per car will be charged and €5.70 for heavy lorries. He explained this was the approved contractual payment based on the investment incurred by DirectRoute as part of the public-private partnership project.
Under the arrangement, DirectRoute takes ownership of the tunnel motorway for the next 30 years.
Mr O’Neill added that more than 100 people will be employed full-time by the toll concession company Intolligent and Lagan Projects Limited, which will maintain the national route.
The tunnel motorway employed more than 700 people in the last four years during the construction phase.