The opening of the Limerick Tunnel by Taoiseach Brian Cowen today has been welcomed by Limerick County Council, the lead local authority in the development of one of the largest infrastructural projects ever undertaken in the Mid-West region.
Construction work on the project, which commenced in August 2006 and for which Limerick County Council acted as lead authority through the planning phases, has been completed over a month ahead of the scheduled completion date of September 2010.
This €660m project represents the second phase of the Limerick Southern Ring Road Scheme, connecting the N7 at Rosbrien to the N18 Ennis Road at Cratloe Castle (just beyond the Radisson SAS Hotel). The 10km section of new road and tunnel will provide improved access times for commuters to the various industrial estates, as well as access to outlying towns and to Shannon Airport, Galway Dublin and Cork.
Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council described the delivery of the project, which was first conceived in the early 1970’s, as “truly world class”.
He explained: “This project is the most significant infrastructural project completed in the Mid West Region since the Shannon Scheme, and I expect its impact on the region will, in time, be seen to match that of the Shannon Scheme. It facilitates interconnectivity between all the national routes converging on Limerick City, and will significantly reduce journey times for traffic wishing to cross the Shannon.”
“With the potential to remove up to 40,000 vehicles a day, which would otherwise clog up existing routes and which lead to gridlock now experienced by many on a daily basis, the completion of the project presents great opportunities for the people of Limerick city and environs, including the easing of traffic congestion, improvement in air quality and scope for further pedestrianisation of city centre streets and development of bus corridor schemes”, added the Cathaoirleach.
Edmund Gleeson, Limerick County Manager said the delivery of the project was the result of many years of collaboration and co-operation in the planning, design and construction phases and was testament to the vision and farsightedness of those who conceived the project almost forty years ago.
Mr. Gleeson continued: “I wish to acknowledge the very significant effort of all those involved in the project, and particularly our own Mid West National Road Design Office based in Lissanalta House. This was the first such Design Office to be established in the country, and became the model and the means by which the significant national roads programme was delivered in collaboration with the National Roads Authority in recent years.”
“The benefits of this project will be evident to all those travelling the route through shorter and safer journeys and the removal of traffic from the City Centre will greatly improve the environment for those frequenting the City Centre. I am delighted to have been involved in the project and congratulate all concerned on the completion of the scheme ahead of schedule”, he concluded.
According to Cllr. Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick: “The project will reduce very significantly the volumes of traffic moving through the city centre, thus enabling the City Council to advance its City Centre Strategy, involving pedestrianisation and significant upgrading of the public realm. The attractiveness of the City as a place in which to do business will be greatly enhanced. There will also be benefits in reduced costs and travel time for our citizens and businesses on both sides of our great river.”
Cllr. Christy Curtin, Mayor of Clare added: “The scheme will greatly improve connectivity within the Limerick Shannon Gateway and facilitate much improved access to Shannon Airport, South Clare and the rest of the country. In addition, there will be significant reductions in journey time and improved road safety for all road users. The timely delivery of the project was facilitated by the cooperation of all involved, especially contractors, landowners, the National Roads Authority and the three local authorities.”
The Limerick Tunnel Project was procured as a PPP (Public Private Partnership) Scheme. A 35-year concession to carry out detailed design, construction, operation and maintenance of the tunnel and road was awarded to a company called DirectRoute (Limerick) Ltd. by the National Roads Authority. DirectRoute will operate the tunnel and derive the benefit of the tolls payable until 2041.
DirectRoute (Limerick) Ltd. (the PPP Co.) comprises of six shareholders, including John Sisk & Son Ltd., Roadbridge, Lagan, Strabag, AIB & Meridiam Infrastructure Finance.
The detailed design and construction was carried out by a Construction Joint Venture Company (CJV) comprising of the four contractors listed above. The CJV, in turn, awarded design contracts to Roughan O’Donovan (Roads & Structures), Capita Symonds (Tunnel), White Young Green (Environmental) and Strabag SAT (M&E). Design Check contracts were awarded to Fehilly Timoney Ramboll, AGEC, Eachtra and Peter Monger. The CJV also awarded specialist contracts to Dutch company, Van Oord, for dredging and tunnel immersion. In addition, there was a significant number of other large and smaller sub-contractors and suppliers involved.
Construction work on the project, which commenced in August 2006 and for which Limerick County Council acted as lead authority through the planning phases, has been completed over a month ahead of the scheduled completion date of September 2010.
This €660m project represents the second phase of the Limerick Southern Ring Road Scheme, connecting the N7 at Rosbrien to the N18 Ennis Road at Cratloe Castle (just beyond the Radisson SAS Hotel). The 10km section of new road and tunnel will provide improved access times for commuters to the various industrial estates, as well as access to outlying towns and to Shannon Airport, Galway Dublin and Cork.
Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council described the delivery of the project, which was first conceived in the early 1970’s, as “truly world class”.
He explained: “This project is the most significant infrastructural project completed in the Mid West Region since the Shannon Scheme, and I expect its impact on the region will, in time, be seen to match that of the Shannon Scheme. It facilitates interconnectivity between all the national routes converging on Limerick City, and will significantly reduce journey times for traffic wishing to cross the Shannon.”
“With the potential to remove up to 40,000 vehicles a day, which would otherwise clog up existing routes and which lead to gridlock now experienced by many on a daily basis, the completion of the project presents great opportunities for the people of Limerick city and environs, including the easing of traffic congestion, improvement in air quality and scope for further pedestrianisation of city centre streets and development of bus corridor schemes”, added the Cathaoirleach.
Edmund Gleeson, Limerick County Manager said the delivery of the project was the result of many years of collaboration and co-operation in the planning, design and construction phases and was testament to the vision and farsightedness of those who conceived the project almost forty years ago.
Mr. Gleeson continued: “I wish to acknowledge the very significant effort of all those involved in the project, and particularly our own Mid West National Road Design Office based in Lissanalta House. This was the first such Design Office to be established in the country, and became the model and the means by which the significant national roads programme was delivered in collaboration with the National Roads Authority in recent years.”
“The benefits of this project will be evident to all those travelling the route through shorter and safer journeys and the removal of traffic from the City Centre will greatly improve the environment for those frequenting the City Centre. I am delighted to have been involved in the project and congratulate all concerned on the completion of the scheme ahead of schedule”, he concluded.
According to Cllr. Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick: “The project will reduce very significantly the volumes of traffic moving through the city centre, thus enabling the City Council to advance its City Centre Strategy, involving pedestrianisation and significant upgrading of the public realm. The attractiveness of the City as a place in which to do business will be greatly enhanced. There will also be benefits in reduced costs and travel time for our citizens and businesses on both sides of our great river.”
Cllr. Christy Curtin, Mayor of Clare added: “The scheme will greatly improve connectivity within the Limerick Shannon Gateway and facilitate much improved access to Shannon Airport, South Clare and the rest of the country. In addition, there will be significant reductions in journey time and improved road safety for all road users. The timely delivery of the project was facilitated by the cooperation of all involved, especially contractors, landowners, the National Roads Authority and the three local authorities.”
The Limerick Tunnel Project was procured as a PPP (Public Private Partnership) Scheme. A 35-year concession to carry out detailed design, construction, operation and maintenance of the tunnel and road was awarded to a company called DirectRoute (Limerick) Ltd. by the National Roads Authority. DirectRoute will operate the tunnel and derive the benefit of the tolls payable until 2041.
DirectRoute (Limerick) Ltd. (the PPP Co.) comprises of six shareholders, including John Sisk & Son Ltd., Roadbridge, Lagan, Strabag, AIB & Meridiam Infrastructure Finance.
The detailed design and construction was carried out by a Construction Joint Venture Company (CJV) comprising of the four contractors listed above. The CJV, in turn, awarded design contracts to Roughan O’Donovan (Roads & Structures), Capita Symonds (Tunnel), White Young Green (Environmental) and Strabag SAT (M&E). Design Check contracts were awarded to Fehilly Timoney Ramboll, AGEC, Eachtra and Peter Monger. The CJV also awarded specialist contracts to Dutch company, Van Oord, for dredging and tunnel immersion. In addition, there was a significant number of other large and smaller sub-contractors and suppliers involved.
