Tipperary TD presses for the opening of crucial Shannon Crossing in busy Tipperary town

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary, Ryan O’Meara, has called for the immediate opening of the new Shannon Crossing connecting Ballina and Killaloe, stressing its importance ahead of the upcoming Easter weekend.

“With the final safety audit now complete, there is no clear reason why this crucial piece of infrastructure should not be open to the public,” Deputy O’Meara said. “Any remaining snag list items should be addressed as a matter of urgency over the coming days.”

O’Meara commended both the work and funding that contributed to the bridge’s development, and he acknowledged the patience of Ballina residents throughout the extended construction period.

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“This project has been a long time coming. People have lived with the disruption because they believed in the long-term benefit—and rightly so. But now, with construction largely complete and all major safety checks signed off, the priority must be to deliver access as soon as possible,” he said.

He also highlighted the bridge’s potential to ease traffic issues and enhance regional connectivity. “The opening of this new bridge will transform local travel and bring lasting benefits to the twin towns and beyond. It’s important we don’t allow small outstanding tasks to stand in the way of that progress, particularly ahead of what will be a busy Easter weekend for local residents and visitors alike.”

Concluding his statement, Deputy O’Meara appealed to the responsible bodies to take swift action. “There is a strong public expectation that the Shannon Crossing will open imminently. I believe that expectation is entirely reasonable, and I’m urging all those involved to ensure it happens without further delay.”