The outcome of a judicial review into the €40 million project aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion in the twin towns of Ballina and Killaloe towns is due to be announced in Dublin.
If approved, then funding will be available almost immediately to begin work.
It’s three years since An Bord Pleanala approved the development which includes a €12m Shannon Bridge Crossing, €11.9m Killaloe bypass and upgrading works costing €16.6m on the road linking Ballina and Birdhill.
It's aimed at easing the traffic congestion experienced daily in the twin heritage towns in Tipp and Clare which form an important centre for tourism – however access to them is severely restricted due to the narrow streets and 14th century stone bridge linking the two – which only allows for one lane of traffic.
An Bord Pleanala's ruling followed a 9 day oral hearing in October 2012 during which a number of local residents and environmental campaigners raised concerns over the project and when it got approval they sought a judicial review of the decision.
The outcome of this has already been postponed on a number of occasions but council officials from Tipperary and Clare will travel to Dublin today hoping for a final decision.
If it gets the go ahead – then funding is already there after the €40 million needed was ring fenced last week in the Governments Capital Investment Plan.
