Construction starts of Adare bypass essential for smooth running of Ryder Cup

A view of the 18th green beyond the River Maigue from the back of the 15th hole at Adare Manor. The erection of a four-lane motorway over the River Maigue has begun. Picture: Dan Linehan

A mammoth and hazardous construction project critical to the smooth running of the September 2027 Ryder Cup in Adare, Co Limerick, involving the erection of a four-lane motorway over the River Maigue, has begun.

The motorway bridge, spanning around 230 metres and elevated 94 metres above the river, will form a critical segment of the 7km Adare bypass. 

It is estimated that around 17,000 vehicles pass through the village each day, and the bypass will divert up to 80% of traffic, cutting journey times to the South-West by more than an hour. 

During the Ryder Cup, it will enable motorists to access park-and-ride locations more quickly and easily, which will 'necklace' the venue.

The EU compelled the Government nearly 10 years ago to upgrade the Port of Foynes infrastructure, which must be developed with top-level road and rail connections, as it was designated a major maritime centre by Brussels.

EU funding has been given towards the overall cost, which is estimated at more than €450m. Work had begun years before the Ryder Cup was announced to acquire land, and a spokesperson said the project has 'chimed' with the big golf event.

Giant cranes were moved into place this week to hoist massive steel girders, which will support the superstructure.

The contractors Sisk Sorensen, in a joint venture, also designed the massive flyover and the huge steel beams were made in Italy before 54 separate sections were shipped to Foynes port. 

Assembly of the steel beams on site was completed last week, and cranes this week began the work of hoisting nine giant girders, which will be pile-driven into place. 

Weather permitting, it is hoped this work on the river will be completed by the end of July. This will allow work on laying out the four-lane roadway deck to get underway.

A spokesman for Limerick City and County Council said: "The scale of the bridge construction has placed the River Maigue Bridge on the critical path in terms of delivery of an ambitious target to complete it ahead of the Ryder Cup."

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Ultan Heffernan, project manager and senior executive engineer, said: "The installation of the first girders is a significant step forward and indicates the strong momentum that is being maintained across the bypass project. It is particularly encouraging to see such steady delivery of a structure that is so critically important, giving confidence that the overall project remains on track, a credit to the entire team."

The 35k Foynes port road is made up of three sections — a 15.6km dual carriageway from Foynes to the N212 at Rathkeale, a 17.5km motorway from Rathkeale to Patrickswell, and the 7km bypass motorway from Adare to Croagh.

Due to the Ryder Cup, it was decided to commence the road project at Adare, and the entire development connecting Foynes port to the N20 has a 2030 completion deadline.

The completion of the Adare bypass will be a huge relief to road users travelling from the greater Dublin area to Kerry and the South-West.

Adare has become a significant traffic bottleneck with delays of more than an hour getting through the village, sometimes longer at peak times, including holiday weekends.