Upgrades to travel infrastructure are on route to Limerick

CONSTRUCTION is to begin next month on enhanced walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure between the TUS Moylish campus and Limerick city centre. 

The Active Travel link will provide improved facilities for people to walk, wheel or cycle between the Moylish roundabout and the junction between Belfield Gardens and the Ennis Road, along with a new bus lane and significant landscaping improvements.

The works will include footpath upgrades and segregated cycle lanes along the Cratloe Road, Sexton Street North and High Road, along with a number of dedicated crossing facilities.

An inbound bus lane extending along the Cratloe Road from the Moylish Roundabout to Hassett’s Cross will also be provided, along with upgrade works to bus stops, side road junctions and new road surfacing.

Landscaping and planting works including the planting of more than 100 trees, native hedge planting, rain garden planting, a wildflower meadow, a floral lawn and bulb planting will also form a key element of the project across the entirety of the route, enhancing the area’s vibrancy and the local environment. 

Construction on the overall project is to get underway in May and is expected to take approximately fifteen months to complete.

It follows the awarding of the project contract to P&D Lydon following a tender process.

The project received an allocation of €3.4 million in funding from the National Transport Authority this year.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said: “A key strategic priority of the More for Limerick Programme is for Limerick to be at least well on the way to achieving the status of Ireland’s first city with a fully integrated Active Travel network by 2030. The TUS to City Centre project going to site, which I really welcome, is another significant step towards that goal becoming a reality. The North side of the city centre has real potential for significant future growth and enhancing the infrastructure in the area unlocks that potential.”

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Cathaoirleach of the Limerick Metropolitan District, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon commented on the project saying; “It will enhance accessibility for people to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle, as well as availing of public transport, contributing to Limerick’s continued growth as a modern, thriving city.”

Senior Engineer with the Active Travel team, Sean McGlynn, added: “Limerick’s Active Travel story is adding another chapter with the beginning of this key project on the North side of the city. Connecting an important educational institution such as TUS to the overall network is hugely important.

“Ultimately, when built, the project will allow those living, working and studying in the area to make more sustainable transport choices and be safer while doing so, which will have huge spin-off benefits to the local and wider community.”