*Tunnel operating below capacity
THE movement of heavy goods vehicles on the main arteries to the city, and in the city centre, has fallen dramatically.
The economic downturn and the reduction in construction related traffic is viewed as a contributory factor.
It has also emerged that the new Limerick Tunnel is not achieving the targets set out, with just 14,000 vehicles passing through daily, 35% of its estimated capacity.
Figures have been released by City Hall.
There has been an 82% reduction on the Dock Road: 70% on the Condell Road: 74% on the Dublin Road: 68% on the Ballinacurra Road: 94% on the Ennis Road; 56% on the Childers Road and 50% on the Tipperary Road.
A drop of 82% is recorded on HGV’s on the one-way city centre hub – O’Connell Street, Henry Street, William Street and Roches Street, with a marked reduction in noise and air quality.
City Hall’s analysis of traffic volumes across the city indicates fluctuations in morning and evening peak traffic periods, with peaks commencing on average, 30 minutes later than in July 2009 and end on average 20 minutes sooner, with exceptions on the Parkway Roundabout, Dublin Road, Tipperary Road and the Northern Regional Roads R445 Brookville Avenue, R464 Long Pavement and R463 Corbally Road
Confirming that traffic going across the city road networks since the opening of the Limerick Tunnel has “slightly” reduced, City Hall’s Traffic Department states that the economic downturn since 2008 and the reduction in construction related traffic is likely to be a contributory factor to the peak time reductions.
“Traffic volumes across the network over a 24-hour period indicates a decrease of six per cent,” they state.
On the plus side, however, the biggest traffic effect to-date resulting from the tunnel opening is the significant removal of HGV traffic from the city centre.
Other positive developments include: improved peak and off-peak journey times across the network; improvements to road safety for cyclists and pedestrians from the reduction of HGV volumes; improvement to air quality by reduced level of exhaust fumes; reduction of traffic noise; more certainty on journey times for traffic travelling through and around Limerick; opportunities to deliver further pedestrian enhancement projects in the city centre; improvement to residential neighbourhoods by reduction in “rat running” traffic to avoid delays; modern road network and connectivity is a significant asset in attracting investment into Limerick.
