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M7 Limerick to Nenagh route finally set to open - but now ESB hits problems with same bog land
THE troubled M7 Limerick to Nenagh route will be fully open in October, as revealed in the Limerick Leader over three weeks ago.However, now the ESB is struggling to carry out work due the "bottomless" bogs.
The completed 28km of dual carriageway, with a single carriageway link to the main road at Birdhill and the upgrading of 10km of the Nenagh bypass to dual carriageway standard was due to be completed last May.
Ongoing problems with building the road through Annaholty and Drominboy bogs put the contractor, Bothar Hibernian, off schedule.
Recently, a plan to resolve the issue in Annaholty bog, between Birdhill and Annacotty, was devised. It is believed that a concrete and steel reinforced base was constructed over the problem area. Earlier this year, it is understood a section of the almost completed road collapsed due to sinkage. Serious difficulties had previously been encountered during construction of the road through an area of deep and wet bogland at Drominboy.
A spokesperson for the NRA said: "I'm being told the M7 work is progressing well and the contractor is progressing on the job for an opening in October."
However, one local man who contacted the Limerick Leader said it should be possible to open it this week because work is nearly completed.
"I've been cycling and walking on the road for over a year. I get on at the Castleconnell roundabout and cycle all the way to Birdhill.
"The only thing left to do on Monday was 20 yards of barriers. Everything else is done - surfacing, road markings, cats' eyes, most of the barriers, signposts. The road is ready," said the local man, who didn't wish to be named as he shouldn't be on the unopened road.
FULL STORY IN OUR WEEKEND EDITION
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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