THE long-desired €800m motorway between Cork and Limerick could finally become a reality after the new Minister for Transport committed to looking at reviving the project next year.
In a complete reversal to his Fine Gael predecessor, Paschal Donohoe, who completely shut the door on the possibility, citing lack of funds, Independent Transport Minister, Shane Ross, said the project would be considered in the mid-term capital plan spending review.
Cork East TD for Sinn Féin, Pat Buckley, asked Mr Ross directly this week “if and when he will progress the M20 project and if not, his plans to improve road infrastructure in the region”.
Mr Ross replied that as part of its work on the proposed Mallow Relief Road, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA), is examining whether the motorway could be done in stages.
He said: “If work on that project, and additional studies show that a phased approach is feasible, the N20 upgrade could be considered as part of the planned mid-term review of the Capital Plan.”
The €27bn Capital Plan was announced in September 2015 and includes projects such as a metro link between Dublin Airport and the city centre, and the new National Children’s Hospital. Cork projects include the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange, the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom schemes and the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road.
The previous government completely dismissed the possibility of the motorway, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny visibly irritated when the Evening Echo put it to him that it was vital for the region shortly before this year’s General Election.
Echoing his then-Minister for Transport Mr Donohoe’s stance, the Taoiseach said there was no chance of it happening in the near future, saying “Cork had got its motorway to Dublin”, adding it was “amazing how the expectations grow just as the economy starts to improve”.
In a sign of the new political reality in Ireland, Mr Ross has shown his independence of Fine Gael policy as part of the minority government, voting against it this week during the fatal foetal abnormality bill.
As part of government formation talks, it is believed that Fianna Fáil secured a review of the Capital Plan next year.
Experts say it will be 2030 before the motorway is built, unless the planning process is restarted soon.
When built, it would shave half an hour off driving times to Limerick.
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