Tipperary County Council, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport have published the third Design Update for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction & Oola Transport Project which is identified as a priority investment in the Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030.
The Project name has been amended to the ‘N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction & Oola Transport Project’ as part of Design Update No. 3 to more accurately reflect the extents of the N24 corridor under consideration.
In October 2024 Design Update No. 2 was published for the Preferred Transport Solution, including an active travel corridor and potential amendments to the corridor for the road component along with proposed junction locations.
Since Design Update No. 2, the design team have further progressed the design of the active travel and road components of the Preferred Transport Solution to take account of results from site surveys (including geotechnical investigations, topographical surveys and environmental surveys) and feedback from ongoing landowner engagement.
Design Update No. 3 drawings are now available for viewing on the project website. These drawings are indicative only and subject to change as part of the ongoing design refinement and environmental evaluation process.
The Active Travel Component aims to encourage walking and cycling for work, school and leisure, linking communities, promoting healthier lifestyles, and reducing transport emissions. Direct active travel links between built-up areas along the Project will encourage modal shift, the use of sustainable forms of transport and inter-modal connectivity.
Within Tipperary Town, new streets incorporating active travel infrastructure are proposed. These streets will help divert 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 will encourage modal shift and assist in creating a more attractive environment for people living and working in the centre of Tipperary Town.
The Project will have a positive impact on the attractiveness of public transport. The proposed N24 will provide greater journey time savings and cater for an enhanced more reliable bus service between the cities of Limerick and Waterford. The transport solution will provide improved connectivity to Limerick Junction Railway Station and the potential Strategic Freight Terminal and Transport Hub identified in the Tipperary County Development Plan where all modes of transport can interchange.
Today’s design update is an important step forward in the design development process as the project team continue to engage closely with landowners and various stakeholders.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran welcomed the update, saying:
“The publication of Design Update No. 3 for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction & Oola Transport Project today 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”
Ms. Sinead Carr, Chief Executive, Tipperary County Council highlighted the importance of the scheme, saying:
“The upgrading of the N24 is a priority for Tipperary County Council. It will also provide the opportunity for Tipperary Town to commence work on significantly upgrading its Town Centre Public Realm and re-establish it as a connected and active trading centre for its residents and hinterland. The publication of the third Design Update of the Preferred Transport Solution for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction & Oola Transport Project is a welcome advancement. This infrastructure will improve connectivity between the towns and cities across the Southern Region, and we acknowledge the significant economic and social benefits that derive from such investments. It will not only relieve the traffic bottleneck from within Tipperary Town but will also provide significant safety improvements along the full length of this section of the N24 corridor within the counties of Tipperary and Limerick.”
Dr. Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council added:
“Limerick City and County Council welcomes the publication of Design Update No. 3 for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction & Oola Transport Project. 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.”
For further information visit Limerick.ie or contact the project team at [email protected] or telephone (061) 951000.