TII funding will bring Thurles bypass to Phase 0

A slight bit of news on the somewhat legendary Thurles bypass was provided at the latest Tipperary County Council meeting, the last before the summer recess, where councillors were told that the €50,000 allocation from the TII will bring the project to ‘Phase 0’.

TII data suggests that the average daily traffic count between the motorway junction and Thurles town is 9,798, up year-on-year and 2,000 more than in 2022.

Another 4,973 travel between the town and Twomileborris each day, about the same number as in 2022.

About 5% of the traffic using the motorway route is comprised of HGVs, and about 3% of the Towmileborris traffic.

While the route was selected in 2011, the project was only added to the National Development Plan in November 2025. The €50,000 subsequently granted is for a “Project Outline Document for Phase 0”, with no date provided for this outline document.

Meanwhile, there was some more positive news as the council confirmed that consultants have been appointed and a preliminary design has begun for a safety scheme with a roundabout at Turtulla Cross.

The Part 8 for this scheme will be advertised in July, with construction anticipated in 2027; a Part 8 is where the design is made available for public consultation, and later adopted or rejected by councillors.

Likewise, consultants have been appointed and a preliminary design for a safety scheme has begun at the N62 Roscrea Bypass at Tullaskeagh, where it is also to begin the Part 8 process this month, with building also anticipated in 2027.

The report also advised that works on one kilometre stretch of road between the N75 in Thurles between Liberty Square and the Anner Hotel are substantially complete. The scheme was held up due to funding restrictions but went to tender in December 2024. Emergency funding was subsequently

made available by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in June 2025