Works advance on ‘vital infrastructure’ as Adare Bypass contracts signed

Works advance on ‘vital infrastructure’ as Adare Bypass contracts signed. Photo: Limerick City and County Council

Adare Bypass contracts signed as the Minister for Transport visits the site stating the “objective of delivering the bypass in advance of the” Ryder Cup 2027

Limerick City and County Council announces the signing of the Adare Bypass Design and Construction Contract; the contract was signed at a reception held at the Council’s Corporate Headquarters, Merchants Quay.

Hosted by Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, in the presence of Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD the reception acknowledged the contract was awarded to the Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture, comprising John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd and Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, and is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Transport.

The Government is investing approximately €150 million to deliver the bypass which is the 1A phase of the Foynes to Limerick Road (including Adare Bypass) Project that will extend between the new interchange junctions at Adare and Croagh.

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The project includes approximately 7 km of new motorway from Croagh to Adare; two grade-separated junctions at Adare and Croagh; associated connections to and realignment of existing National, and Local roads; in excess of 200m long 3-span bridge with a central clear-span of approximately 95m over the River Maigue at Adare; and four river bridges; three signage gantries; seven overbridges/underbridges; and various accommodation underpasses, retaining walls and culverts.

Other aspects included in the project are extensive earthworks; various drainage works including provision of attenuation ponds and wetlands various accommodation works, side roads and accesses; and various ancillary works; and various Authority and Utility diversions including diversion of electricity, eir, broadband and water apparatus.

The Adare Bypass also includes two new railway bridges, over the Foynes to Limerick railway line currently being recommissioned. Iarnród Éireann is delivering these bridge works in conjunction with John Cradock Ltd on behalf of Limerick City and County Council.

The project is scheduled for completion by June 2027, ahead of the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. The Government approved the advancement of the bypass construction in November 2023 to facilitate early delivery. Enabling works, including hedge clearance, fencing, archaeological resolution, railway bridge construction, haul road construction, and utility diversions, are currently underway.

Adare experiences significant traffic delays daily. The bypass will remove congestion on the N21 and divert any unnecessary through traffic, including HGV’s away from the village improving the safety of all road users and the quality of life of people living, working and visiting this popular heritage village.

Speaking at today’s contract signing, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran acknowledged the ambitious target for delivery which is part of the Mayoral Programme, saying the signing of the contracts “marks a significant step” but said “expectations should be tempered”

He said, “However, expectations should be tempered considering the scale of the project and the time remaining. Despite the work done to date the project still poses significant challenges and risks that are outside the control of the Council. However, Limerick City and County Council’s commitment to achieve this ambitious target remains steadfast.

“The council is buoyed by the goodwill and active cooperation of all agencies and stakeholders involved and those affected by the project to date. This continued support will be essential to the project during the delivery phase. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture and the project management team every success in the delivery of the project”.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien visited the site of the Adare Bypass which he said is of “strategic importance” for the region.

He said, “Once complete, it will greatly reduce congestion, air pollution and noise in the heritage town of Adare. Residents and visitors will be able to access the town more easily with increased safety. It will also have a significant impact in reducing journey times for traffic using the N21.

“With the Ryder Cup taking place in September 2027, my Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will be working closely with Limerick City and County Council and all other stakeholders, with the objective of delivering the bypass in advance of the event, which will have a significant and positive impact on the local area in terms of economy and tourism. I appreciate all the work that has taken place to bring the project to this point, and I look forward to seeing the completion of this important project.”

Director General for Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said he is “immensely proud” of the efforts which helped reach the milestone.

He said, “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, our technical advisors at Jacobs Engineering, and our contractors, the Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Iarnród Éireann for their invaluable partnership in constructing the railway bridges along the new road.

“With the Ryder Cup set to take place in Adare Manor in 2027, it is essential that Limerick puts its best foot forward. This world-renowned event presents a unique opportunity to showcase our beautiful region to an international audience. Completing the bypass ahead of the Ryder Cup will not only alleviate traffic congestion but also ensure that visitors experience the best that Limerick has to offer.”

Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Adare-Rathkeale, Cllr Adam Teskey says the bypass will have positive impacts on the community, noting, “We have all been witness to the severe traffic congestion in Adare for many years so I am thrilled to see the rapid progress being made on the Adare Bypass project.”

Peter Walsh, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland said the project will “improve safety for all road users”, noting the bypass will “remove unnecessary through traffic from Adare town and eliminate a major regional point of congestion on the national road network”

Noel Curtis, Project Director at John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd and John Wallace, Managing Director of Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, issued a joint statement on behalf of Sisk Sorensen, the Joint Venture partnership.

They said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver this vital piece of infrastructure and we are working hard on the delivery, conscious of the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027. We are off to a good start and value the collaboration and partnership approach from all the stakeholders involved locally and nationally.”

The Adare Bypass is being delivered as an advance contract, in tandem with all the other advance and enabling works contracts. This advance/enabling works contracts phase is being delivered as part of the overall Foynes to Limerick Road (Including Adare Bypass) Project, in line with the plans and particulars of the approved development.

The overall project is seen as an economic enabler for Limerick and the Mid-West Region in general, central to this is the project’s role in the strategic development and expansion of Shannon Foynes Port.  The Council is continuing to progress the remaining elements of the overall project.