The final section of concrete was laid below the River Shannon at the weekend – making way for Limerick's €500m Shannon tunnel.

The 20,000 tonne concrete structure was sunk beneath the river in a pre-dredged channel.

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The massive project, billed as one of the biggest infrastructural schemes in the west of Ireland ever, stretches 915m in length.

The project will be the centrepiece of Limerick's south ring road development, providing the city's fourth river crossing.

The tunnel will link the dock road with the dual carriageway leading to Shannon and Ennis.

Due for completion in 2010, the scheme will have lasted four-years.

(PR)