A €44 million project to deliver the new Killaloe Bypass, River Shannon Crossing and upgrade of the R494 scheme is moving forward.

John Sisk & Company has secured the Main Scheme Works contract for the project, with construction expected to begin on site in late March 2022.

Commenting on the appointment, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan, said: "This is really great news not just for Killaloe and Ballina but for the counties of Clare, Tipperary and the Midwest in general. It has been many years in the making and it is absolutely fantastic that the scheme has now been approved to go to construction."

This current scheme was brought to life following a proposed widening of the existing Killaloe Bridge back in the late 1990s. This was ruled out for environmental and heritage reasons but prompted a wider Traffic Management Strategy which was carried out in 2003 and identified that a new bridge crossing was required in the region downstream of the existing bridge while also recommending a bypass of Killaloe and an upgrade of the R494 as part of the longer-term strategy for Killaloe and Ballina. 

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Senior Engineer in the Council's Project Management Office, Seán Lenihan added: "This approval now allows the project to move at pace. We have already issued the Letter of Intent to the successful bidder, John Sisk & Co, and the Letters of Regret to the unsuccessful bidders. There are a number of conditions that Sisk will have to comply with prior to them being formally appointed but it is hoped that we will be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance in late January, all going well. This will allow them to organise their supply chain issues and prepare to mobilise on site in March. Of critical importance is that they are in a position to carry out the in-water works in the river during the limited Fisheries window this summer. This early sign off by the Minister allows us to advance to the next stage of the project which is very good news indeed."

When complete, the scheme will bring journey time savings and improved accessibility and connectivity to the area, along with environmental, tourism and health benefits.