Tunnel is ‘stimulus’ for region, says Cowen

A NEW highway tunnel under the river Shannon, opened by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday, is being projected as catalyst for the delivery of major economic, environmental and commercial benefits to the mid-west and the wider Atlantic Corridor stretching from Kerry to Donegal.

Opening the €660 million tunnel four miles west of Limerick, Mr Cowen said it represented one of the most complex pieces of engineering ever completed in this country and would give economic activity and jobs a badly needed stimulus.

The new tunnel is more than 900 metres in length of which 675 metres is under the river. Over coming days it will ease travel for thousands going to the Galway races, cutting 20 minutes off journey times.