A planned new crossing of the River Shannon near Ballina – Killaloe could undermine the Limerick Tunnel according to the National Roads Authority.
The planned crossing is the subject of an oral hearing by An Bord Pleanala which is being held at the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh.
The NRA claim the 6 kilometre bypass of Ballina and Killaloe could divert traffic from the Limerick Tunnel which is already well below the traffic volume predicted for it.
The tunnel is a public/private partnership with the taxpayer having to fork out €90,000 a week in penalty payments because of the poor uptake by motorists.
If it gets the go-ahead the new Shannon crossing and Ballina/Killaloe bypass will alleviate traffic congestion in both towns.
