Fears have been expressed that traffic issues in the Killaloe-Ballina area could be compounded by major road works being carried out in several stages.
Councillors from East Clare and North Tipperary have been told at a special joint meeting of the Killaloe and Nenagh Municipal Districts, that construction on the Shannon Bridge Crossing could get underway by 2019.
Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill has more:
It’s been four years since planning permission was granted for the multi-million euro Shannon River Crossing Project, but now it seems it could soon become a reality.
The mulit-million euro project was subject to a number of long-running legal battles before being officially given the go ahead late last eyar.
Now a broad timescale for the project in Killaloe – Ballina has been outlined at a special joint meeting of the Killaloe and Nenagh Municipal Districts in the historic twin towns.
East Clare and North Tipperary Councillor have been told that discussions with landowners are continuing, while a detailed design phase will take place next year, with the development going to tender by the end of 2018 or early the following year.
Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O’Brien says there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.
The project, which will cost between 45 and 50 million euro, will be carried out in 3 phases – the Shannon Bridge Crossing, The Killaloe Bypass and upgrade works linking Birdhill to Ballina.
But some councillors expressed concern over this amid fears it could stall mid phase and make a bad traffic situation worse.
But the Director of Services for Roads with Tipperary County Council has moved to allay concerns.
Marcus O’Connor insists its full steam ahead.
The last time the two councills met was in 2014 before the abolition of town councils and the amalgamation of Tipperary County Councils, following a proposal, they’ll now meet twice a year.
