Another section of the national road network, the Limerick tunnel, brings traffic under the River Shannon.
After four years of construction, one of the most complex engineering projects in the mid-west, the Limerick tunnel under the River Shannon, is opened by Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Completed two months ahead of schedule at a cost of cost €660 million, the tunnel links the Dublin, Galway and Cork and Kerry routes around Limerick, improving access and clearing congestion.
The Limerick tunnel is designed to take 40,000 vehicles a day from the city centre, but will initially remove 27,000. The tunnel will be tolled. It will cost €1.80 for a car to use and up to €5.70 for large trucks.
The principal aim of the new tunnel is to improve access for businesses and tourism, the benefits of which are expected to be seen far beyond Limerick. Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council Richard Butler believes the tunnel will open up Shannon Airport to the whole midlands area.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Taoiseach is clear that the tunnel is a key part of Ireland's national road infrastructure. More major road network projects, such as the Atlantic corridor, are planned and
Our regional and county road system can't be forgotten about either; that's an important part of our rural life as well.
In attendance at the opening ceremony is 95-year-old Patrick Skehan from County Clare, who was also present at the opening of the Shannon scheme in 1929.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 July 2010. The reporter is Cathy Halloran.
