Major changes revealed for the new Limerick to Cork motorway

Major changes have been announced to the proposed new motorway between Limerick and Cork. The long awaited N/M20 road will be reduced in width by half under radical plans published by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on Monday. The EUR1.5 billion project is seen as a vital piece of infrastructure needed to help boost economic growth in the region.

Under the proposals, the width of the road corridor would be reduced from 500 metres to 200 metres.

However, active travel infrastructure to promote cycling and walking is to be increased from 80km to 100km. Other changes include upgrading transport and freight hubs to facilitate better links between switching from using a car to public transport.

There will also be HGV parking, and en-route EV charging points. To further reduce the use of cars Iarnrod Eireann has been asked to consider a 'no charge hourly service' between both cities.

These changes follow extensive public feedback on the route, while also taking into account EU climate change rulings.

Improving links between the two cities has been discussed for more than two decades as it is seen as a crucial way to promote the local economy. Another factor looked for the route, which is used by between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicles a day, was how to make it safer. Between 2011 and 2018, there were 17 fatal collisions on the road as well as 36 more collisions in which serious injury was caused.

The new road was made a strategic part of the national development plan in 2006, but was put on hold after the subsequent economic crash.

But the upgrade is still some way off as the draft design is not expected until the second quarter of next year with the final design not due until at least the end of 2024.