Walkers invited to take a trip under the river Shannon via €810m tunnel

A CHANCE to be one of the first people to walk under the river Shannon is being offered to people in Limerick and Clare today.

The 900m twin-tube tunnel and associated 9km dual carriageway is, at €810 million, the State’s most expensive motorway tunnel, outstripping the cost of the Dublin Port Tunnel by some €60 million.

From 10am to 7pm, visitors are being invited to walk through the tunnel in advance of its official opening date later this summer. The precast tunnel was previously on display before it was lowered into position in July 2008.

Officially known as the Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase 2, the new road traverses the longest river in these islands and links the N7 Dublin Road, the N20 Cork Road and the N18 Ennis Road.

The public open day is the last chance for visitors to walk the tunnel, according to the National Roads Authority, which said pedestrians will not be accommodated when the tunnel opens.

Visitors to the tunnel will be invited to walk across the scenic Bunlicky Lake causeway before entering the northbound tunnel bore.

The outward walk is about 1.5km, and when walkers emerge from the northbound tunnel, tea will be available in the site canteen. The return trip is also about 1.5km, so visitors are advised to bring walking shoes.

A commemorative book will be on sale, and proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (Limerick branch), Milford Care Centre and Thomond House Hostels for the Homeless.

When the tunnel opens officially later this summer, a toll of about €1.80 is to be charged for private cars.

The tunnel operator is Direct Route Limerick Ltd, which holds the concession for 35 years.

A spokesman for the roads authority said comparing the costs of the Limerick and Dublin tunnels was like comparing “chalk and cheese”.

He said the principal reason for the Limerick tunnel being more expensive was that the price included annual maintenance and operation over the 35-year life of the contract, as well as refurbishment to a very high condition before the tunnel is handed over to the State at the end of the contract.

The cost of operating, maintaining and refurbishing the Dublin tunnel was not included in the €775 million cost, which figure also did not include land costs.

The cost of land for the Limerick tunnel was very high, the spokesman added.