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Killaloe Bypass/Shannon Bridge Crossing/R494 Upgrade

The proposed Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme will provide a western bypass of Killaloe, a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgrade of the existing R494 regional road from Ballina to the N7 at Bridhill. The entire scheme is approximately 6.2km and will cross the River Shannon approximately 1km to the south of the existing Killaloe Bridge and will cross the Kilmastulla River (a tributary of the River Shannon and part of the Lower River Shannon SAC) on the R494. 

Killaloe Bypass March 2023


Below is the time lapse video created by John Sisk and Son (holdings) Ltd of the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Upgrade.

Project Description

The proposed scheme has been broken down into three sections as follows:

  • Killaloe Bypass: This part of the scheme aims to create a western bypass around the town of Killaloe which will connect the R463 to the north of town with the proposed Shannon Bridge Crossing section and R463 to the south of the town.
  • Shannon Bridge Crossing: This section of the scheme will cross the River Shannon approximately 1km south of the existing Killaloe Bridge and will connect the proposed Killaloe Bypass with the R494.
  • R494 Upgrade: This section will involve widening, regrading and local realignment of the R494 from its junction with the R496 and proposed Shannon Bridge Crossing south of Ballina, as far as the junction with the R445 (previously known as N7) north of Birdhill.

Current Update March 2023

As we head into Spring, works on the ground continue at pace on all three sections of the scheme namely the Shannon Bridge Crossing, Killaloe Bypass & R494 Upgrade.

Piling works for the Eastern (Tipperary) side of the river crossing have been completed and the 1st RC (reinforced concrete) pour has been completed for the Eastern bridge abutment.  Preparation of temporary works to facilitate the installation of the pile capping to the Eastern bridge pier has commenced.

On the Western (Clare) side of the river the piling works are also being progressed by the piling sub-contractor PJ Edwards Ltd.  The excavation and replacement of unsuitable material from the site compound towards the Clare side of the river crossing at Clarisford is substantially complete and the stream culverts and mammal pass installation have been completed for this section.  This work will facilitate access to the bridge location for larger plant including the ongoing piling activities, marine plant mobilisation and bridge construction. 

Piling works for the new Kilmastulla River bridge crossing on the R494 has been completed by Sisk’s other piling subcontractor, Terradrive Piling & Foundations Ltd.  Formworks are now progressing in anticipation of a concrete pour to the north bridge abutment expected to be completed in the coming days.  The farm underpass structure adjacent the Kilmastulla river has been installed.

Long term traffic management arrangements are still in place to facilitate the construction of the R494 with site clearance, enabling and landowner accommodation works progressing.  Works to the foul sewer line are nearing completion with final tie-in to be completed at the Roolagh junction area over the next few weeks.  All major temporary traffic management arrangements will be included on the MapAlerter system which can be accessed at https://www.mapalerter.com   

Utility service diversions are also being carried out on the R494 and utility investigations are progressing elsewhere via slit trench identification and ongoing coordination with the relevant providers. 

The construction of the Killaloe Bypass section is progressing with some storm culvert installation and bulk earthworks operations having recently commenced.  There is a large volume of material to be excavated from this section of the project which will be mass hauled to areas requiring build-up of fill to road formation layer on the Killaloe Bypass section and on areas on the R494.

Other works include remaining site clearance, archaeological monitoring, ecological monitoring & property pre-condition surveys. 

With the increase in visitor traffic to the area expected in the coming months the Main Contractor Sisk’s and the project team are conducting regular Traffic Management co-ordination meetings with representatives from both Local Authorities, the Gardai and Emergency & Rescue Services from Clare and Tipperary.

The Sisk Emergency site contact number (Out Of Hours) is 087-6414583 should there be any traffic management issues that requires attention.  

Clare County Council greatly appreciate the ongoing support and co-operation from all members of the public who are directly affected by the works as they travel through the site each day.  We acknowledge and apologise for the temporary disruption caused by the works.

Previous Update December 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, the Main Works Contractor, John Sisk & Sons Ltd in conjunction with their piling sub-contractor have commenced with the construction of the Shannon Bridge Crossing. 

 Enabling works and site clearance to facilitate the construction of the piling platforms to the East (Tipperary) and West (Clare) sides of the River Shannon have been completed.  Piling operations have commenced with piling installations to the Eastern side of the river expected to be completed early in the New Year.  Piling operations will then remobilise to the Western side, prior to accessing the River in Spring 2023 for the construction of the instream Bridge Piers.

The construction of the Killaloe Bypass section is progressing with site clearance and enabling works advancing from the Shantraud Roundabout to the Ballyvally / Kincora roundabout with the construction of haul roads within the site and commencement of the earthworks operations for this section of the project.

The construction of the R494 Upgrade is also progressing with site clearance and enabling works been carried out. This involves the widening of the existing northbound carriageway to enable future traffic management and site clearance on the southbound carriageway.  Utility services diversions are also being carried out on the R494 and utility investigations are progressing elsewhere via slit trench identification and ongoing coordination with the relevant utility providers. 

There are no major traffic management operations planned for the remainder of the year however there will be long term Traffic Management arrangements in place from 09/01/2023 until 31/05/2023 to facilitate the construction of the R494 road realignment.

All major temporary traffic management arrangements will be included on the MapAlerter system which can be accessed at https://www.mapalerter.com  

 Clare County Council greatly appreciate the support and co-operation received thus far from all the stakeholders involved especially the local residents and all road users who are directly affected by the works as they travel through the site each day. 

For the Christmas period construction activities will cease on the 22nd December and will resume again on the 3rd January 2023.

Traffic Management Arrangements - Tipperary

Notice 1 - Main sewer on R494 at Roolagh - January 2023 to May 2023

Notice 2 - TM on R393 at Knockadromin -January 2023 to June 2023

Notice 3 - TM on R494 at Roolagh Ch 0100 to Ch 0600 Phase 1 and 2 Works from April 2023 to December 2023

Traffic Management Arrangements - Clare

Notice 4 - Construction Plant Crossing Point - March 2023 to October 2023

Notice 5 - Lane Realignment on R463 at Shantraud mid June 2023 to November 2023 

Project Flythrough Animation


Below is the flythrough video generated from BIM  (Building Information Model) of the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Upgrade.

Page last reviewed: 11/05/23

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