Construction of a major road project on the northern side of Limerick city, which has been mired in controversy, setbacks and delays over the past four years, is finally getting under way.
It will also unlock what has been regarded as a 'crime cul de sac' in the Pineview Gardens estate in the Moyross area of the city, blighted by disadvantage and feud-related crime for almost 25 years.
Limerick City and County Council has signed a €31 million construction contact with Wills Brothers Ltd for the Coonagh to Knockalisheen distributor road scheme, which is being described as transformative in its potential to bring significant economic and social opportunities for the Moyross area.
It is seen as a key infrastructure project to support the future economic development of the area and improve the quality of life of communities with better access to essential services and education, as well as opening up the entire Moyross estate with a new entrance and exit.
Currently there is just one roadway into Moyross with the Pineview Gardens estate totally isolated at its uppermost northern end.
It is also located directly beside the expanded TUS Coonagh campus, opening up access to that third level educational facility too.
But this first section of the Northern Distributor road or NDR, almost did not get built after Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan planned to axe it in 2021 in favour of more public and active transport and cycleways for the area instead.
However, he came under sustained political and local pressure to allow the road to go ahead and effectively did a U-turn on its construction.
But then another roadblock hit the project delaying it by a further two years, when contractors Roadbridge, tasked with building the road, went out of business, leaving a partially built road between Coonagh and the Old Cratloe Road cut off and derelict.
The council had to retender the project and completion work is now finally due to start.
This will include the construction of 2.1km of urban dual carriageway, major improvements to existing roads, the development of pedestrian and cyclist facilities, and significant associated works, new sewer systems and landscaping.
It will be delivered in phases, with the dual carriageway between Coonagh and the Knockalisheen and Meelick areas in Co Clare scheduled to be finished in 12 months and the entire project to be finished in 2 years.
Mayor of Limerick John Moran said: "This new road is a vital step forward for the future of Moyross.
"As I have previously stated, no community in Limerick should live on a cul de sac. The Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road scheme will provide the necessary infrastructure to connect Moyross with the rest of Limerick city.
"This project will greatly enhance the quality of life for our residents and it’s a proud moment for me to sign this long overdue contract."
The pressure is now on the ensure the wider Northern Distributor Road project is put back on the Government's agenda, and that Phase 2, further extending it over to the eastern part of Limerick city, providing a link to the University of Limerick campus and to the technological park at Plassey, is constructed.
It was cut out of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area transport Strategy or LSMAS published in 2022 - again to huge political and public disquiet.
Limerick city TD Willie O’Dea said this is all part of a ring road and it makes no sense to have a ring road that suddenly stops mid-way going no further.
"It’s absolutely vital that this project is completed to get the full value and advantages it brings to the northern and eastern sections of the city, and I will certainly be bringing it up with the new minister responsible for infrastructure projects, expected to be Fianna Fáil’s Jack Chambers," Deputy O’Dea said.
