Ennis to Limerick commuters will finally be able to take the Shannon Tunnel this afternoon.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen along with the Transport Minister Noel Dempsey travel to the Mid West to officially open the 660 million Euro project which bypasses Limerick City and take up 20 minutes off journey times to the West.
This new route under the Shannon River opens a new western corridor connects the N/M-18 Galway-Ennis-Limerick Road to the M7 Dublin to Limerick route and also completes the southern bypass of Limerick City
The 9.75 km project, was developed under a public private partnership with a price tag- including land and construction costs of 605 million euro.
It’s highlight is a 675-metre tunnel which crosses under the River Shannon – it runs from the Limerick Southern Ring Road at Rossbrien through Ballinacurra, Ballykeefe, Bunlicky, Castlemungret, Coonagh West, Clonmacken, Coonagh East, Meelick and Cratloemoyle to join with the existing N18 close to Cratloe Castle.
Cars will pay a toll of €1.80, buses €3.20 and trucks up to €5.70.
When it opens to the public the route is expected to take 28 thousand vehicles a day and will generate fifteen million euro a year in tolls for it’s operator, Direct Route Ireland.
