Latest news with #TransportInfrastructureIreland
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Times
TII expects to seek planning permission for €2bn M20 Cork-Limerick motorway next year
Transport Infrastructure Ireland expects to apply for planning permission next year for the near €2 billion upgrade of the Cork - Limerick N20 to full motorway, with the aim of completing and opening the new 80km stretch of dual carriageway in 2035. TII briefed more than 100 public representatives from Cork and Limerick on the project on Monday and M20 project co-ordinator Jari Howard outlined the proposed timeframe for the upgrade, which will cut travel times between Cork and Limerick by 30 minutes. Mr Howard explained that the business case for the upgrade to motorway status will go to the Department of Transport for both departmental and external review and, subject to approval, TII will apply for planning permission for the work in 2026. 'We will get our planning application in in 2026 so planning will take a good year, so it will be 2027 before we get planning – the actual construction work will be split up into three or four contracts, so the work will be done in stages. READ MORE 'We plan to begin enabling works in 2028, things like service diversions, and then construction takes seven years, so that gives us a completion date of 2035, but we will have the bypasses of Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville done first – so they could be done by 2031 or 2032. Jari Howard, M20 project co-ordinator, said the new motorway will be much safer as it will significantly reduce the number of access points, currently at more than 600, and help save a predicted 70 lives over the next 30 years. 'We will start to see real benefits in terms of journey-time savings and the bypasses of Buttevant and Charleville in particular will be very beneficial in terms of taking the trucks out of both towns well before the final tie-ins happen and the route is completed.' Mr Howard also confirmed that the M20 project team has had face-to-face or online meetings with approximately 1,000 landowners whose properties will potentially be impacted by the project, outlining to them the development designs and the mitigation measures. [ Pledges to clarify when route for Cork-Limerick upgrade will be selected Opens in new window ] A small number of landowners face losing up to 50 acres for construction of the motorway, and some large dairy farms will be cut in two by the route, but where that happens TII will build under and overpasses to ensure both parts of the farms remain connected, he said. According to Mr Howard, travel times between the two cities will be reduced by 30 minutes, while travel times from the existing dual carriageway near Blarney in the south to the existing motorway at Attyflin at the northern end will be cut to just 40 minutes. Mr Howard said that among the other benefits, apart from the reduction in travel times, is the fact that the new road will be much safer as it will significantly reduce the number of access points, currently at more than 600, and help save a predicted 70 lives over the next 30 years. The new 80km motorway will comprise two carriageways and a hard shoulder either side of a central median, and because it will be a motorway, there will be slip road junctions rather than roundabouts, with a speed limit of 120km/h, compared to 100km/h on dual carriageways. [ Ireland's deadliest road: 'It's like she's frozen now forever at 29' Opens in new window ] The new motorway will be tolled, but unlike the tolls on the M8 at Watergrasshill and Portlaoise, where road users pay a flat fee irrespective of how far they travel, the tolls will be distance-based and barrier-free, where users pay after their journey on the basis of how far they travel. The route for the new M20 will use between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of the existing N20, including from Cork to Blarney and on to Mourneabbey, before following a new line east of Mallow, New Twopothouse and Buttevant, where it will rejoin the existing road. The new M20 will then cut west of Ballyhea and Charleville in North Cork, and follow a new line as it enters Limerick, west of Banogue, before coming back to join the existing route on the Croom Bypass to connect with the existing M20 motorway at Attyflin near Patrickswell. The new motorway, which will involve the construction of six new road bridges, eight new river bridges, two new railway bridges and 45km of associated national, regional and local roads, will be futureproofed with a projected capacity of 40,000 vehicles a day, said Mr Howard.
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
‘Delays' warning after crash on busy Dublin city centre road & breakdown of ‘heavy goods vehicle' causes traffic chaos
DRIVERS on Irish roads have been warned to expect delays this morning following multiple incidents in separate areas. The first incident is a breakdown involving a "heavy goods vehicle" in Ballymun, Dublin. 3 The first crash occurred on the M1/M50 southbound in Dublin Credit: 3 And drivers were told that delays will occur to their journey Credit: The incident occurred on the M1/M50 southbound between J3 and J4 Ballymun, Dublin. Drivers were told that delays will occur and that they should consider a different route. But they should be warned that alternative routes can also become congested due to the heavy volume of diverted traffic. Transport Infrastructure Ireland said: "M50 southbound: Breakdown involving a heavy goods vehicle. Read more in Motors "Between J3 M1/M50 and J4 Ballymun (Dublin). Breakdown involving a heavy goods vehicle. "When approaching the breakdown location, reduce your speed and drive with caution. "Minor delays to your journey may occur." And traffic bosses warned of a road traffic collision in Dublin city centre. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN The collision occurred at the junction of Inns Quay / Chancery, Dublin. Rockstar tired of road issue takes matters into own hands after 'close calls' Dublin City Council's Traffic Management Centre said: "Please take care on approach." And near Kill, Co "Due to the impact of the breakdown, delays to your journey will occur. Consider a different journey start time or route." DEBRIS DELAYS Elsewhere in the country, road users have been advised to take care due to debris on the road. The obstruction is sitting between J13 Tulla and J12 (N85) Ennis, Co And lane two has been affected. And traffic bosses warned drivers this morning that "delays to your journey will occur." They said: "Due to the nature of the impact of the debris, delays to your journey will occur. "When approaching the area please drive with caution, reduce your speed." 3 The crash occurred on the M1/M50 southbound between J3 and J4 Ballymun, Dublin Credit:
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Sligo to get extra EV charging hubs
An allocation of almost €8 million will be provided to support grants for recharging infrastructure at the selected sites, with chargers set to be in place by the end of this year. These new sites will deliver 175 new fast and ultra-fast recharging points, at 53 locations along the national road network, making it quicker and easier for EV drivers to top up on longer journeys. The announcement is part of a wider plan to build a reliable recharging network across the country, with the distance between recharging hubs to be 60km or less. The recharging hubs are funded through the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) initiative operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). This phase of the initiative focused on over 1,200km of national single carriageway roads. Enterprises such as petrol/service station operators, car park owners, hotels, supermarkets/retail outlets, and others with publicly accessible sites, could apply through a competitive grant process for funding. The total allocation for this aspect is €7.9 million. Applegreen, Carraroe, Sligo N4; Whiteside's SuperValu, Ballisodare, N4; Surlis SuperValu, Tubbercurry, N17; Drive Service stations Ltd, Sligo, N17. Sligo Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan has welcomed the announcement of the nomination of 7 sites across Leitrim, South Donegal, and Sligo. 'It is vital for this region and constituency that we expand our EV charging network to facilitate EV owners who visit this region for either work or leisure purposes. 'I would like to see more of our smaller villages and towns get the funding to provide town centre fast charging EV points to ensure that more and more people have the opportunity to visit our locality including EV owners without the concern of range anxiety,' said Deputy Feighan. The nominating sites in Leitrim are: Rooney's Supervalu, Manorhamilton and Rosebank Retail Park, Carrick-on-Shannon.
Irish Independent
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Here is where the three new Electric Vehicle Recharging Hubs will be in Kerry
Here in Kerry, the three new hubs will be located at the following locations: An allocation of almost €8 million will be provided to support grants for recharging infrastructure at the selected sites, with chargers set to be in place by the end of this year. These new sites will deliver 175 new fast and ultra-fast recharging points, at 53 locations along the national road network, making it quicker and easier for EV drivers to top up on longer journeys. The announcement is part of a wider plan to build a reliable recharging network across the country, with the distance between recharging hubs to be 60km or less. Minister O'Brien said: 'We're taking real, practical steps to make electric vehicles work for everyone. With more chargers, more choice, and more support, we hope even more people will feel confident making the switch to electric. These high-powered chargers are a key step in that process. We're committed to building a sustainable and cleaner transport system, and that means making it easy to charge wherever you are.' The recharging hubs are funded through the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) initiative operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). This phase of the initiative focused on over 1,200km of national single carriageway roads. Enterprises such as petrol/service station operators, car park owners, hotels, supermarkets/retail outlets, and others with publicly accessible sites, could apply through a competitive grant process for funding. The total allocation for this aspect is €7.9 million. The announcement marks another major milestone under Ireland's National EV Charging Network Plan, which aims to make EV recharging accessible across all parts of the country, from motorways to rural roads, and from cities to small towns. This is part of the wider ZEVI National Road Network EV Charging Plan, which previously awarded grant funding to deliver 131 new high-power recharging points at 17 locations along the motorway/dual-carriageway network. An additional scheme to support recharging infrastructure across another 3,000km of the national road network is also currently underway, with applications closing in June.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Plans for much-needed Tipperary bypass take a step forward
Tipperary County Council have this week published design update number three for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction project, which would see Tipperary town bypassed. Tipperary County Council, are working on the project in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport, which it is hoped, will relieve a traffic bottleneck in Tipperary town. As part of the newly-unveiled plans, Tipperary town would see new streets incorporating active travel infrastructure. 'These streets will help divert traffic away from Main Street, which, in combination with a series of safety measures, such as signalisation of key junctions and the provision of signalised pedestrian crossings will encourage modal shift and assist in creating a more attractive environment for people living and working in the centre of Tipperary town', Tipperary Council have said. "The proposed N24 will provide greater journey time savings and cater for an enhanced more reliable bus service between the cities of Limerick and Waterford. The transport solution will provide improved connectivity to Limerick Junction Railway Station and the potential Strategic Freight Terminal and Transport Hub identified in the Tipperary County Development Plan where all modes of transport can interchange'. Sinead Carr, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council said: 'the upgrading of the N24 is a priority for Tipperary County Council. It will also provide the opportunity for Tipperary town to commence work on significantly upgrading its Town Centre Public Realm and re-establish it as a connected and active trading centre for its residents and hinterland. "The publication of the third Design Update of the Preferred Transport Solution for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction and Oola Transport Project is a welcomed advancement. This infrastructure will improve connectivity between the towns and cities across the Southern Region, and we acknowledge the significant economic and social benefits that derive from such investments'. "It will not only relieve the traffic bottleneck from within Tipperary town but will also provide significant safety improvements along the full length of this section of the N24 corridor within the counties of Tipperary and Limerick,' Ms Carr added. The plans have gone on public display at the Great National Ballykisteen Golf Hotel in Limerick Junction from Tuesday, May 27, and online at
