Work on new bypass to start at Adare end of route, ahead of Ryder Cup date

Tenders have gone out for the long heralded Adare bypass which will knock an hour off journey times between Dublin and the south west.

The 7k stretch is part of a planned highway being built to connect the Port of Foynes to the country’s major road network.

The EU ordered a new highway through County Limerick having designated Foynes a European maritim hub.

The new roadway will consist of 17.5km motorway between Rathkeale and the N20 near Patrickswell and a 15.6km carriageway from Foynes to Rathkeale.

The Government has ordered that the first phase of the €500m project should start with the Adare bypass given the village will host the Ryder Cup in 2027.

Ger Carey, project manager at the Mid West national roads design office at Limerick City and Count Council, said: “The Government has asked that we start at the Adare and get the bypass completed as a priority in advance of the rest of the scheme.

“It is going to be a very ambitious target the get it completed for the Ryder Cup. But having said that we will give it a go and chase hard to meet the Ryder Cup target.”

He confirmed that tenders for part of the route that will include a motorway stretch over the River Maigue, have gone out from their office.

Mr Carey said: “We would hope that contracts can be finalised by November or sometime in December. All going to plan, it would be our expectation that work on site can get under day in January or February.

“The Government has asked us to get the Adare bypass section going, and while it is a very ambitious schedule to have it ready for the Ryder Cup in 2027. we will spare no effort to push on and I think if things go well there is a good chance we can get it done.”

A railway line is currently being reinstated along the old Limerick-Foynes line which was closed down decades ago..

Adare has grown into a widely broadcast traffic bottle neck. Delays of up to an hour for traffic on the N7 (Dublin-Limerick) route travelling on to the N21 (Limerick-Kerry) route are not uncommon.

One traffic study has shown that up to 17,500 vehicles travel though Adare’s narrow main street every day.

It is estimated that up to 14,000 vehicles, a day, will be diverted to the new by-pass.

Local business people say the by-pass will encourage more visitors to the heritage village and enjoy the hospitality of hotels, bars, restaurants, and fashion outlets.

From the Irish Independent