Road design sparks more traffic congestion fears

LIMERICK councillors are calling for greater attention to the Limerick to Foynes road arguing that the focus on the Ryder Cup is overshadowing the urgent road needs of the people of Adare, Askeaton and the surrounding areas.

Cllr Adam Teskey stated: “The N69 is in bad need of being bypassed and it just seems to me that we are overly focused now on the Ryder Cup.”

He added that they're forgetting about the “real reason” these works are needed which is that the people of Askeaton and the wider area “deserve to get a road that's fit for purpose.”

Councillor Bridie Collins also voiced concerns over the current design of the bypass, particularly the two junctions between Croagh and Adare, which are expected to increase traffic congestion.

“It just doesn't sit well with any of us here expecting the traffic to come in through the old road and through the Woodlands roundabout,” she said. She added that the traffic has to turn right to enter the roundabout to go on the bypass.

Cllr Collins remarked: “It just seems ludicrous if we're not going to extend it all the way out to the edge of the motorway and there does seem to be a lot of innuendo and rumour going around the village that that has been secured.”

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She suggested implementing a right lane to feed into the bypass and allow the traffic that wants to feed directly into Adare not to be delayed. “It's to try and avoid the stacking of traffic, which happens every day, numerous times during the day coming into the village from the Limerick side.”

Cllr Collins also said she has received numerous complaints about the speed of lorries and about the condition of the roads around where the construction is happening.

Currently, the section of the bypass from Croagh to Adare is contracted for construction, with no funding secured for the stretch of road opposite the old golf course in Adare to the end of the motorway. Councillors are concerned about the lack of clarity over the funding and timeline for the remainder of the bypass, especially for the stretch extending to the motorway.

Ultan Heffernan from the Mid West National Road Design Office said: “To get it delivered ahead of the Ryder Cup will be a win for the area.”

Construction of the highly-anticipated Adare bypass has entered a pivotal phase, as the project progresses through Phase 5 of the TII Major Scheme Delivery.

The completion date for the bypass is set for late June 2027.