Significant day for Limerick community as first vehicles roll on €58m road

IT’S A significant day in Moyross as, for the first time in its 50-year history, there will be a second entrance into the estate via a new €58m road.

From this Monday morning the first vehicles travelled on the new Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road, which has a link into Moyross, ensuring the community will no longer rely on a single access point at Watch House Cross.

It means Moyross will be connected directly to the main road network in a move which it’s hoped will drive investment to what has historically been one of Limerick’s more deprived areas.

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The project has been in the pipeline since the 2000s, but work only commenced on it in 2021.

However, the collapse of the project’s main contractor, Roadbridge, a year later left the scheme incomplete. It wasn’t until January 2025 a fresh contract was signed with construction firm Wills Bros to complete the scheme.

The completion of the road element paves the way for the next phase of works.

This will see the Ballynanty rail bridge demolished and rebuilt.

To facilitate this, the existing Knockalisheen Road is to close from today, with traffic diverted on the new link road into Moyross.

Michael Carroll of Wills Bros said: “We will be restricting traffic flow down Knockalisheen Road between the new roundabout and Watch House Cross. We have a number of residents with varying degrees of requirements within that section and we are talking with them on an individual basis.”

Meanwhile, concern has been raised about a temporary relief road being used during the bridge works.

The road links The Bays factories to Longpavement.

John Franklin, who lives at Hartigan’s Villas in the area said footpaths and lighting need to be provided.

“Kids use The Bays. They go in and out every evening, there is access there until 8.30pm or 9pm. There is also a 15-foot deep pond beside the road. There needs to be a small bit of fencing or meshing to stop access into it,” he said.

Mr Carroll said he would be arranging meetings to discuss this.

Labour councillor Padraigh Reale welcomed the opening of the road.

“It’s positive news for the community of Moyross. I sit on the board of management at the Community Enterprise Centre and we have been discussing this since the works have restarted. It will enhance the area,” he said.