Green light for commencement of the next phase of the Adare bypass

WORKS are scheduled to commence this month on site of the Adare Bypass between the proposed Adare and Croagh junctions.

The Adare Bypass is one element of the Foynes to Limerick Road project which is a 35km road connecting Limerick city to the port of Foynes. The overall project is seen as vital for the strategic development and expansion of Shannon Foynes Port, for West Limerick and the Mid-West region in general.

There has been approximately €67 million spent to date on the project since it commenced in 2014. A substantial portion of that went towards the commencement of the construction phase, land acquisition, archaeological works and bridge contracts etc. While the contract duration is 30 months, with a scheduled contract end date of June 2027, there still remains a number of challenges for the project team to achieve this very ambitious target.

Limerick City and County Council is continuing to progress the remaining elements of the overall project through this construction phase.

Cllr Liam Galvin submitted a question asking for an update on the Adare Bypass at the monthly meeting of the Municipal District of Newcastle West last Wednesday.

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Speaking to the Limerick Leader, Cllr Galvin said he wasn't so sure if the Adare Bypass will be completed in time for the Ryder Cup to be held there in 2027. “I wouldn't hold my breath on that.” However, he was pleased to see the bypass is progressing.

November 2023 marked the start of several enabling works contracts which are currently being progressed along the entire length of the project. These include hedge clearance, fencing, an archaeological resolution contract, the construction of three railway bridges, haul road construction in addition to the diversion of numerous utility services.

Last December, the council announced that the joint venture of John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd and Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, had been awarded the Adare Bypass Design and Construction Contract, between the proposed Adare and Croagh junctions.

This project will include a bypass of Adare, which will run to the north of the village, and it will remove in the region of 70 – 80% of the traffic currently passing through the village (c17,000 vehicles/day). The proposed road is vital to improve safety and remove traffic delays. There will also be a new Heavy Goods Vehicle Service Area near Foynes.