Stage Two of the Mungret Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) road in Limerick has officially opened.

The Mungret LIHAF road is designed to open up 59.6 hectares of land for development of which 27.1 hectares is owned by Limerick City and County Council. The development includes approximately 1,900 housing units, mixed use development at Mungret College, a new secondary school, development of Mungret GAA and Dooneen Athletics Clubs as well as a network of public spaces and safe walking and cycling routes. Also included in the road is pedestrian crossings, bus stops, bus lanes and bus priority at junctions.

The project is expected to cost €28 million and is primarily funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, along with contributions from the National Transport Authority and Limerick City and County Council.

Stage 1 involved building a 300-meter road stretch from R510 into Mungret Gate, enabling the construction of 203 housing units. The completion of Stage 2 (1,610 meters) and Stage 3 (600 meters) will facilitate the construction of an additional 1,700 houses.

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Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell said: "The Mungret LIHAF road Stage 2 brings us significantly closer to providing homes for hundreds more families in a welcoming and sustainable setting with easy access to local amenities providing a better quality of life. By prioritising pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, we are creating safer, healthier, and more liveable neighbourhoods for generations to come."

Minister of State, Kieran O'Donnell TD described the completion of Stage 2 of Mungret LIHAF road as a 'significant milestone'. The Minister said: "The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is a key element of the Government’s Housing for All plan and we are seeing it delivering for the people of Limerick here in Mungret. This innovative road scheme is opening up a large swathe of land for development, and we have now taken a crucial step towards the construction of a further 1,700 homes, with a range of tenure types, in a vibrant and interconnected community."

Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC were appointed by the Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, to undertake a Strategic Masterplan and Urban Design Strategy for development of the Mungret lands which was published in 2018. Dr Daly stated: "Our vision is for the residents to enjoy convenient access to schools, workplaces, and local shopping areas by walking and cycling. The design prioritises freedom of movement, fostering a strong sense of community within a neighbourhood that remains interconnected with the advantages of urban living. This approach reduces dependence on cars and unnecessary trips, aligning closely with Limerick City and County Council's sustainability objectives.

"We extend our gratitude to the consultants, Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers, and the contractor, Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, for their expertise and dedication throughout the project. Additionally, we would like to thank the local landowners for their cooperation and support in facilitating the construction of this essential link road."

The Stage 3 connection to Patrickswell Road is currently in the preliminary design phase and is scheduled to be submitted for planning later in 2024.