Road on Limerick-Tipperary border to get safety boost

A FRESH update on plans to improve the safety of a key road on the Limerick-Tipperary border has been revealed.

The N24 road between Oola, Limerick Junction and Cahir in the Premier County, is set for a major upgrade.

It comes after studies revealed the existing road has restricted capacity due to its limited width, sub-standard alignment and the fact it passes through four villages and Tipperary Town.

The key objectives of the upgrade are to improve safety, journey reliability and the strategic function of this part of the N24, which as a whole, connects Limerick to Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford.

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The section of the N24 where the improvements are proposed lies between the M8 motorway, north of Cahir in Tipperary, and traverses the villages of Bansha, Limerick Junction, Monard and Oola.

The update, which is available here has been published by Tipperary County Council in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport.

The project has been identified as a priority investment in the Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030.

The update reveals that in Tipperary Town, new streets incorporating active travel infrastructure are proposed.

These streets are aimed at diverting traffic away from Main Street.

This, in combination with a series of safety measures, such as signalisation of key junctions and the provision of signalised pedestrian crossings, it's hoped will encourage people to get out of their cars.

Mayor of Limerick John Moran said: "This is another significant milestone as we look forward to delivering a more reliable, sustainable, multi modal transport solution. Intensive consultation with landowners and stakeholders is vital to ensure that the potential negative impacts are minimised as much as possible. I have long been an advocate of improvements to the N24, which is critical. Today’s announcement moves us another step closer to a time when each of our four regional cities are connected with more acceptable road infrastructure.  Limerick City and County Council looks forward to our continual partnership with Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to complete this project, and to ongoing commitments from Government of the funding needed to construct all the improvements".

Limerick Council's director general Dr Pat Daly added: "The significant reduction of heavy commercial vehicles and cars from the towns and villages along this section of the N24 corridor will improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion It will have a lasting positive impact on the quality of life of residents along the route. The inclusion of active travel infrastructure will also have a positive impact on the communities along the project and will encourage modal shift and inter-modal connectivity. Limerick City and County Council continues to work with Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the project through the next phases.”