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Killaloe Bypass / Shannon Bridge Crossing

The proposed Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme will provide a western bypass of Killaloe, a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgrade of the existing R494 regional road from Ballina to the N7 at Bridhill. The entire scheme is approximately 6.2km and will cross the River Shannon approximately 1km to the south of the existing Killaloe Bridge and will cross the Kilmastulla River (a tributary of the River Shannon and part of the Lower River Shannon SAC) on the R494.


Project description

The proposed scheme has been broken down into three sections as follows:

  • Killaloe Bypass: This part of the scheme aims to create a western bypass around the town of Killaloe which will connect the R463 to the north of town with the proposed Shannon Bridge Crossing section and R463 to the south of the town.
  • Shannon Bridge Crossing: This section of the scheme will cross the River Shannon approximately 1km south of the existing Killaloe Bridge and will connect the proposed Killaloe Bypass with the R494.
  • R494 Upgrade: This section will involve widening, regrading and local realignment of the R494 from its junction with the R496 and proposed Shannon Bridge Crossing south of Ballina, as far as the junction with the R445 (previously known as N7) north of Birdhill.

Current status

The Project Team for the above proposal consisting of Clare County Council, Tipperary County Council, Department of Transport (DoT) and scheme Consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers have been progressing the delivery of this important piece of infrastructure for the Mid-West over the past number of years. We are now nearing the stage where we will be in a position to finalise the detailed design and sign off on technical compliance through independent checking which will enable us to publish the Tender for the Main Scheme works before the end of the year.

Due to the scale of the project and construction complexities associated with any such crossing of a major river like the Shannon, a three stage procurement process was adopted. The first stage commenced in December 2019 when a Prior Information Notice (PIN) was published to advise the market that the project was preparing for tender stage. The second stage of the procurement process is currently ongoing where expressions of interest were sought through Etenders, a number of which were received from National and International Contractors in late August 2020. These are currently being assessed and will result in a shortlist of suitably experienced contractors being invited to tender for the Main Works Contract. As mentioned above, it is expected that this third stage of the tender process will commence in late 2020 with contract award and construction commencing, subject to DoT approval, in mid-2021. The construction period is expected to take 3 years thereafter.

In parallel with the procurement of the Main Works Contractor, Clare County Council are also progressing a number of advance works contracts. These consist of Bat Roost construction, Invasive Species Treatment, Archaeological Investigations, Utility Diversions and Enabling Works, including site clearance, demolition, fencing, etc. some of which are currently ongoing with the remainder to commence in late November 2020, again subject to Department approval. These works once commenced, will progress over the winter months and into the Spring/Summer of 2021.

Clare County Council and its agents have also made significant progress in completing the Land Acquisition process with the majority of agreements anticipated to be in place by the end of 2020. In order to facilitate the completion of the Advanced Works contracts, Clare County Council intends to issue a scheme-wide Notice to Enter in late October/early November 2020. This notice, consequent on the confirmation of the CPO by An Bord Pleanála and our subsequent issue of the Notices to Treat, will be issued to all affected Landowners to inform them of the intention by the statutory authority and its agents to enter and take possession of the affected lands in advance of the contracts outlined above.

Natura Impact Statement

Environmental Impact Statements

Further information request from An Bord Pleanála

CPO Confirmation Notice

  • Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement - CPO Confirmation Notice [PDF, 195KB]

Page last reviewed: 02/11/20

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