Cork Limerick Motorway Tender

Location Cork-LimerickThe Limerick local authority in partnership with Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland TII is developing the proposed motorway. A 15m contract has been awarded for the design stage of the 100km Cork-Limerick motorway it is unlikely that the planned 900m M20 will be completed before 2027 aimed at reducing journey times between the two cities by bypassing towns such as Charleville and Buttevant. Limerick City and County Council the lead local authority for the project has appointed JB Barry Transportation and its project partners WSP and Sweco as technical advisers. An original design was approved by An Bord Pleanla but planning lapsed following the Governments decision to mothball the project after the 2008 financial crisis. It may take at least two years before a new design is completed and planning approval secured. Following any tendering process it could be a further two years before construction is underway possibly in 2023. The National Development Plan envisages the motorway will be completed in 2027. The technical advisers will be based at an M20 project office adjoining the Mid-West National Road Design Office in Dooradoyle Limerick. County councillors in Cork backed by County Hall engineers have long argued that the delay in providing a motorway is having a major impact on traffic volumes through Mallow town centre. In advance of a motorway being completed they are seeking a northern relief road around Mallow.