Picture: Keith Wiseman
CONSTRUCTION on the planned Coonagh to Knockalisheen road is expected to begin late this year or at the beginning of 2016, and will take approximately 30 months and €45 million to complete.
Acting director of service Vincent Murray provided this week’s Metropolitan District meeting of Limerick city and county council with a progress update on the Coonagh to Knockalisheen road and the Northern Distributor Road which is also expected to go to tender towards the end of the year.
The Limerick Northern Distributor Road, is expected to cost in the region of €100 million with preliminary designs to be completed by the end of this year.
Cllr Maurice Quinlivan (SF) said the Coonagh to Knockalisheen road was one of the most highly anticipated projects on the Northside and “if we were to get boots on the ground this year it would be fantastic”.
“This road is key to opening up Moyross which is still the biggest cul-de-sac in Ireland. This new road will free up the whole of the northside,” he added.
Cllr Quinlivan also asked if the council could look at giving Ballynanty Rovers a pitch in an area of the land purchased by the local authority to allow the construction of the road.
Cllr Daniel Butler (FG) remarked: “There are greater traffic issues in the city, but it’s an investment for Moyross so I welcome it in that regard.”
Cllr Joe Leddin (LAB) said the development would lead to “huge spin-offs for the local community”.
“There is a very active residents association there who were very involved in talking to the powers-that-be about the route and they feel very aggrieved; they feel that they have been completely ignored.”
Cllr Séighin Ó Ceallaigh (SF) said that despite the fact that Clare County Council is responsible for the Northern Distributor Road, “I feel we must look at the Limerick side of things. If this isn’t done correctly, the traffic will affect Newport and as far as Ahane and Castleconnell.”
Mr Murray said the team working on the scheme was “one of the most experienced design teams in the country; they will come forward with the very best design for Limerick and Clare”.
He added that no timeline has been given for the Northern Distributor Road as it is still subject to statutory approval.
