THE design and planning process is now underway on the M20 (Limerick to Cork) Motorway project with the formal appointment this week of Barry Transportation as design and planning consultants.
Barry Transportation were selected from a short-list of five applicants under a detailed tender process for this design and planning phase of the M20 project.
The M20 project is funded under TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) and progressed in partnership with lead authority Limerick City & County Council and Cork County Council. Included in the Capital Plan by Government, the estimated €900 million M20 project is being managed by the Road Design Office, based in Lissanalta House on Dooradoyle Road.
Fine Gael Senator for Limerick, Kieran O’Donnell has welcomed the appointment of the design consultants for the project.
“I am delighted that the design and planning process is now underway on the key M20 project. This ensures that no further time is lost in progressing this vital missing piece of motorway network, linking the two major cities outside of Dublin, namely Limerick and Cork,” Senator O’Donnell commented.
“This design and planning phase will bring it as far as Bord Pleanála approval. Thereafter, the appointment of contractors to construct the M20 can proceed.
“I am particularly pleased that this M20 project is being managed by the Road Design Office of Limerick City and County Council, with the project delivery team based in Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle Road, including the project staff of Barry Transportation.”
O’Donnell believes that proper and detailed consultation with affected landowners along the route will be a key element of the design and planning phase.
“We must provide a strong economic counter-balance to Dublin and the east coast. Together with the recent motorway completion linking Limerick to Galway, a commuter time of under one hour from Limerick to Cork is a vital ingredient in creating this dynamic of an Atlantic economic corridor.
“As the biggest single motorway road infrastructure project in Ireland at an total estimated cost of €900m, this M20 Gateway project will contribute to the competitive edge necessary to deliver on the Project 2040 objective of 75 per cent population growth outside of Dublin over the next two decades.
“Adare Manor is looking to bring the Ryder Cup in 2026. Having the M20 in place by then should be a target date. Whilst this is an ambitious deadline date, it is nevertheless achievable,” he concluded.
