Plans for a new road between Cork and Limerick have advanced, with an announcement of the preferred corridor for the route made.
It is the latest stage in a long-running effort to enhance connectivity between the south and the mid-west.
A 200-metre wide corridor has been identified between both cities, in which the road would ultimately be constructed.
Planners are also announcing the locations for proposed interchanges along the route, where traffic would branch off to towns such as Charleville and Mallow.
The final route for the N/M20 road project will now be chosen.
Engineers hope to submit the project to the Government by the end of next year after which a formal planning application would be lodged with An Bord Pleanála.
Construction work on the route is not expected to begin for a number of years.
The project, led by Limerick City and County Council, is described as "inter-modal".
It allows for cycleways and charging points for electric vehicles and aims to be future-proofed to take account of possible changes in relation to environmental goals over the coming decades.
In addition, expanding active travel infrastructure to encourage more walking and cycling along the route will increase from 80km to 100km, as well as improved transport and freight hubs, and improved public transport connections.
The transport and freight hubs are designed to facilitate interchange between cars and public transport services, HGV parking, and EV charging points en-route.
It will cost well in excess of €1 billion to complete.
Íarnród Éireann has also been asked to consider a "no change hourly service" between both cities in an effort to improve rail links, which it is believed will increase demand for train transport to and from both locations.
These changes follow extensive public feedback on the route, in addition to consideration of the evolving climate, environmental and transport policy both here and at EU level.
Providing better road links between the second and third largest cities was first mooted back in 1998, when the poor connectivity between the two cities was seen as inhibiting economic growth and providing a proper counterbalance to the expansion and congestion of the large Dublin region.
It was made a strategic part of the national development plan in 2006, only to be shelved altogether in 2011 due to the economic downturn.
However, it is now a key part of the Government's Project 2040 and planning on the project has been actively progressed in recent years by both Limerick and Cork county councils.
In addition to the economic argument for better connectivity between both cities and the inefficient journey times, there were also considerable safety concerns with the route, which is used by between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicles a day.
Studies identified over 625 junctions as well as almost 300 dwelling houses on the route.
In the seven-year period between 2011 when the project was stalled and 2018, there were 17 fatal collisions on the road as well as 36 more collisions in which serious injury was caused.
These fatal and serious collisions frequently involved multiple casualties, so a major safety imperative was also confirmed for changing the route.
The proposal to build a safe and more efficient road linking both cities has not been without controversy, particularly among farmers and other landowners whose properties face disruption because of the need for a new road.
Further feedback with farmers, householders and businesses is ongoing between both councils, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport.
However, seeking government approval for planning is still some time off and possibly not until 2025, as the draft design of the project is not expected until the second quarter of next year and the final design and fence line not due until at least the end of 2024.
Addtional reporting: Pat McGrath
