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The Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D., has declared a total of 294km of national roas as new motorway sections under SI No. 255 of 2009 which will take effect on 28th August, 2009.
Only the roads in the vicinity of County Limerick are listed here. Details of other Motorways are available on the Department of Transport's website.
Please note that all special speed limits (construction zones) will remain in
place beyond August 28th, 2009
N7 Dublin to Limerick
Limerick Southern Ring Road (Phase 1) (open to traffic) 8.5 km
N7/N20 Rossbrien Interchange (under construction) 1.5 km
N20 Cork to Limerick
Limerick to Attyflin (N20/N21 Junction) (open to traffic) 5 km
N18 Oranmore to Limerick
Shannon to Ennis (open to traffic) 8.3 km
Ennis Bypass (open to traffic) 12.5 km
Gort to Crusheen (under construction) 22 km
Oranmore to Gort (in planning) 28 km
N8 Dublin to Cork
Watergrasshill to Glanmire (open to traffic) 7 km
Glanmire Bypass (open to traffic) 6.3 km
The design speed of 120kph will apply to all newly declared motorway sections unless special speed limits are in operation. In addition, the designation to motorway status will also serve to protect the route against inappropriate development, including multiple access points, which would have road safety implications and affect the efficiency and service life of the route.
Certain categories of road users are prohibited from using motorways:
People who do not hold a full driving licence for the category of vehicle they drive
Vehicles incapable of a speed of at least 50km/h
Vehicles with an engine capacity of 50cc or less
People driving on “L” plates
Invalid-carriages
Vehicles that do not use inflated tyres
Cyclists
Pedestrians
Animals
Minister Dempsey said "By declaring these sections of road to be motorways, it will create uniformity of speed limits across major sections of the national network and protect this major public investment from inappropriate development. The primary function of a national motorway network is to allow people, goods and services to travel safely and efficiently throughout the country."
In line with the provisions of the Act, this Order applies only to dual carriageways (or integrated parts thereof) that were already built, were under construction or in planning when the Roads Act 2007 was enacted.
Drivers using the existing open sections of these routes should note, that until 28th August 2009, the current speed limit will apply.
Specific details of the affected sections of roadway are available to view and download on the Department's website at www.transport.ie
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