THE OPERATORS of the Limerick Tunnel were paid €4.5 million in taxpayers money last year because of under-use of the facility by motorists.
Direct Route Limerick Ltd were paid the money under the Variable Operation Payment mechanism and comes into effect when the number of vehicles using the tunnel drops below 23,000.
The figure is down on the amount paid in 2015, when Transport Infrastructure Ireland paid out €200,000 more because volumes of traffic were smaller.
The drop suggests that more drivers are now using the €660 million facility at a cost of €1.90 per journey but hauliers say that the €3.40 charge for trucks is prohibitive and encourages drivers to travel through Limerick city adding to traffic congestion.
The tunnel will not revert to state ownership until 2041.
