NRA hopes to build M20 over two phases

THE National Roads Authority hopes to build the 80km motorway linking Limerick with Cork over two phases at an estimated cost of €800 million.

The first phase of the M20,at about 40km long, would run from Kileens, near Blarney to Velvetstown just north of Buttevant. If planning permission is approved and funding is provided by the Government, the NRA hopes to start construction on that section some time in 2012. It would take up to three years to finish.

Again, if funding is in place, the NRA would hope to start construction of the second section in 2015, after the first phase is completed.