Croom Distributor Road Completion Costs Surge to €10 Million

The anticipated cost of completing the Croom Distributor Road in Limerick has escalated significantly, with estimates now ranging from €5 million to €10 million. This information was disclosed during a recent briefing for councillors in the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, who discussed the progress of the N/M20 project, which is slated to enter the planning phase by the end of this year.

Cllr John O’Donoghue raised concerns about the ongoing traffic issues in Croom, emphasizing the need for improvements. He noted that upon completion of the N/M20, traffic will funnel into the village either through Patrickswell or the bypass, making the timely completion of the distributor road essential. “The Croom Distributor Road needs to be done and it should have been done years ago,” he stated. Cllr O’Donoghue highlighted the challenges posed by agricultural vehicles, heavy traffic, and the high volume of school buses navigating the area.

According to Jari Howard, the N/M20 project co-ordinator, the preliminary business case for the distributor road is nearing completion. However, he stressed that project approval from the Cabinet is necessary before any planning application can be submitted. Howard clarified that while the Croom Distributor Road is included in the area’s development plan, it is not part of the N/M20 project itself. He cautioned that if both projects were pursued concurrently, it could delay the Limerick-Cork motorway.

In response to the funding concerns, Patricia Liddy, director of Transportation, Mobility, and Place Making, stated that if funding could be secured, she would push to complete the final 400 metres of the distributor road. “Money is the key issue,” she said, adding that support from local ministers would be beneficial.

Cllr O’Donoghue expressed that building the N/M20 without addressing the Croom Distributor Road would be “putting the cart before the horse” and would represent a significant regression for the area. Liddy acknowledged the community’s frustrations and disclosed that the projected cost for completing the road has risen to €10 million, five times the initial estimate. She attributed this increase to ongoing construction inflation.

As discussions continue regarding the future of transport infrastructure in Croom, local authorities face the challenge of balancing funding needs with the pressing demands of the community. The completion of the Croom Distributor Road remains a critical priority for residents as they navigate the complexities of traffic and safety in the region.