MAGNIFICENT sunshine has brought out thousands of interested visitors to the Limerick Tunnel this Saturday.
The Direct Route consortium hosted a public open day even though no official opening date has been set for the motorists keen to use the €500 million road project. Today’s public open day is the “last chance” for visitors to walk the tunnel, according to the NRA, which said pedestrians would not be accommodated when the tunnel opens to vehicular traffic.
“It’s been a huge turnout and everybody is delighted with it. This is the last chance to walk through the tunnel and get a feel for what it is like,” said Tom Meagher, the NRA’s resident engineer on the project.
Officially the Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase 2, the Limerick tunnel scheme includes almost nine kilometres of surface level dual carriageway linking the N7 Dublin Road, the N20 Cork Road in the area of Rossbrien, and the N18 Ennis Road near the Radisson and Two Mile Inn hotels.
Speaking about the completion of the tunnel, IBEC Mid-West and Kerry Regional Director, Chris O’Donovan said: “The opening of the Limerick Tunnel marks the completion of the largest engineering project ever undertaken in the region, and the business community looks forward to improved access to Shannon Airport and reduced travel times along the west coast that the tunnel will provide.
