Press Release Friday 15th March 2019 15.35
O’Donnell Confirms M20 Design & Planning Consultants Appointed
-M20 Gets Firmly Underway with Barry Transportation formally appointed as Design & Planning Consultants
Limerick Senator Kieran O’Donnell has welcomed the formal appointment on Monday 4th March of Barry Transportation as Design & Planning Consultants for the M20(Limerick to Cork) Motorway project by lead authority, Limerick City & County Council.
The M20 project is funded under TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) and progressed in partnership with lead authority Limerick City & County Council and Cork County Council. Included in the Capital Plan by Government, the estimated €900M M20 project is being managed by the Road Design Office, Limerick City & County Council based in Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle road, Limerick.
Barry Transportation were selected from a short-list of five applicants under a detailed tender process for this design and planning phase of the M20 project. The tender document indicated an estimated contract value of €8M(excluding Vat) with a 48 months duration period.
“I am delighted that the design & planning process is now underway on the key M20 project, with the formal appointment of consultants, Barry Transportation by lead authority, Limerick City & County Council last week. This ensures that no further time is lost in progressing this vital missing piece of Motorway network, linking the two major cities outside of Dublin, namely Limerick and Cork.
“This design & planning phase will bring it as far as an Bord Pleanala approval. Thereafter, the appointment of contractors to construct the M20 can proceed.
“I am particularly pleased that this M20 project is being managed by the Road Design Office of Limerick City & County Council, with the project delivery team based in Lissanalta house, Dooradoyle road, including the project staff of Barry Transportation. Work is now already started on the Design & Planning phase. The previous M20 project was managed by Cork County Council.
“Proper and detailed consultation with affected landowners along the route will be a key element of the design and planning phase.
“We must provide a strong economic counter-balance to Dublin and the east coast. Together with the recent motorway completion linking Limerick to Galway, a commuter time of under one hour from Limerick to Cork is a vital ingredient in creating this dynamic of an Atlantic economic corridor.
“As the biggest single Motorway road infrastructure project in Ireland at an total estimated cost of €900M, this M20 Gateway project will contribute to the competitive edge necessary to deliver on the Project 2040 objective of 75% population growth outside of Dublin over the next two decades.
“I have been campaigning hard over the last three years to ensure the M20 was put back on the political agenda, given the green light and included in the most recent Government Capital Plan. My focus will continue to be on ensuring that is it now built as quickly as possible.
“Adare Manor is looking to bring the Ryder cup in 2026. Having the M20 in place by then should be a target date. Whilst this is an ambitious deadline date, it is nevertheless achievable.
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