WORKS on three new road bridges running over the Foynes to Limerick rail line have been completed, bringing an end to the 14-month and €13million construction process.
According to Iarnród Éireann, the bridges were completed ahead of time and on budget, fast-tracking one element of the long awaited Limerick to Foynes Road Scheme, which includes the Adare Bypass.
The works were carried out on behalf of Limerick City and County Council and will ensure safe crossing points for construction traffic on the remainder of the new Foynes road ahead of the Limerick to Foynes rail line getting back into operation.
The original 42-kilometre rail connection between Limerick City and Foynes opened in 1858, but has been inactive since its closure 2001.
Now, Iarnród Éireann says the €151.5m new freight line project is “advancing at pace with track laying complete and signalling and telecommunications infrastructure well advanced”.
Works began recently on the refurbishment of the roof at the Foynes Station House, with further works on the building to take place in 2026. Level crossing works, the rail service provider said, will also be completed in 2026.
All works on the line are expected to be completed in October 2026, Iarnród Éireann confirmed, as part of the the rail service’s Rail Freight 2024 Strategy.
“Reopening of the line, working with Shannon Foynes Port Company, will deliver a reliable, frequent, and sustainable logistics option for many companies that currently or in the future will use the port of Foynes,” it said.