Background

The Limerick Project involves the design, construction, operation and maintenance of an approximately 10km-long tolled dual carriageway bypass to the southwest of Limerick, connecting Phase 1 of the Southern Ring Road to the existing N18 national highway, heading west to Shannon and the international airport.
The Project includes a 675m-long immersed tube tunnel under the River Shannon.
Since opening, the tunnel and road link have diverted considerable volumes of traffic from the centre of Limerick City (over 3m trucks diverted since completion), easing congestion in the city, whilst boosting economic development with completion of a strategic transport corridor across the region.
In Q2 2017, Meridiam purchased an additional stake in the Project increasing the holding from 25% to 50% of the shares and shareholder loan, and 100% of the mezzanine debt.
In May 2019, the industrial sponsors (Strabag, Sisk, Roadbridge and Lagan) sold, their shareholdings to 3i and TIIC.

Stage:

In Operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

All waste (two-tonne skips per annum) generated in the maintenance depot or collected from the road is removed to Greenstar (waste manager) recycling depot for sorting, recycling and/or landfill (as appropriate). The Project Company is looking to further improve recycling of all waste.

SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean energy)

80% of the Project’s energy is currently supplied from green energy contracts, with a plan to switch to 100% in 2024.

Solar panels were installed on the Project Company buildings in August 2023.

Installation of LED lighting in the tunnel was completed in Q4 2023 (toll plaza lighting and lighting of half of the building already replaced with LED technology). This will reduce energy consumption of tunnel lighting by 65%.

SDG 13 (Climate action)

The Project Company has taken steps to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions through installation of intelligent and more sustainable lighting system and solar panels.

Learn more about the project:

Lighting the Limerick Tunnel