Works at ‘dangerous junction’ in Limerick to cost €1.3m

THE REDEVELOPMENT of Lee’s Cross, a five-arm junction in County Limerick is estimated to cost €1.3m according to Central Services at Limerick City and County Council (LCCC).

Lee’s Cross is located approximately 4km south of Ballingarry and has long been considered a hazardous junction. Two vehicles have collided with a house at the junction in the last two years.

Earlier this year, LCCC received funding to progress the redevelopment of the junction through the planning process.

The main issues with the junction are largely to do with people speeding through it, often misjudging the bend along the main road, there are also visibility issues throughout the junction.

The solution which will be brought forward for adoption at the next full meeting of LCCC will see the construction of two staggered T-junctions. Junction tightening will take place in areas of Lee’s Cross to encourage drivers to slow down.

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According to a public notice published in the Limerick Leader, the separation of the five-arm junction will allow for the creation of “two staggered T-junctions”. In doing so this will “formalise each arm of the junction so that priority is clear, and to improve sightlines at the junction”.

The southern road, the L-1211 will be realigned to join up with the R520-R518, and the existing L-1211 will be partially maintained to provide local access to a resident. According to a spokesperson for LCCC, landowners at the junction have been “very positive about the scheme” to date.

“Should the scheme be approved, we have already submitted an application for funding for 2024… If all goes well we will be looking for additional funding in 2025 to actually build the scheme itself,” the spokesperson said.

Fine Gael councillor for Newcastle West Liam Galvin called the redevelopment of Lee’s Cross a “good news story”.

“The Part 8 has to be welcomed but I’m disappointed it’s taken so long. I’ll be very straight with ye. The design is a hell of a lot better than what is there,” Mr Galvin said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Collins said he uses the road every time he is coming in and out of Limerick due to the backlog of traffic in Adare.

“From a safety perspective, this is paramount. It is a very, very busy junction in the evening time and it is a dangerous junction so I welcome this,” Mr Collins said.