It’s now illegal for learner drivers and cyclists to use the Ennis By-Pass or the N 18 as far as Shannon.
Both sections of road have now been re-classified as motorways with new speed limits of 120 kph
Almost 300 kilometres of national roads have been upgraded from today and the Transport Minister says the purpose of this is to enhance and protect the national motorway network.
The new speed of 120kph. up from 100kph will apply to all the newly declared motorway sections including the 8 kilometre stretch from Ennis to Shannon, and the 12.5 kilometre Ennis Bypass …but it won’t apply to areas still under construction.
So while the stretch from Gort to Crusheen and Oranmore to Gort will be deemed as motorways, the new speed limits won’t apply yet.
The transport minister’s also warning that certain road users will be prohibited from using the motorways including learner drivers, those on mopeds, pedestrians and cyclists. .
Therefore these road users that currently travel on the N 18 from Ennis to Limerick will have to find an alternative route to Shannon where they can then rejoin the dual carriageway.
Meanwhile there’s ongoing concern over the new speed limit amid claims the by pass isn’t suitable for motorway status as a number of the slip roads are dangerously short.
However the NRA has refuted this repeatedly stating the road is within safety parameters.
