Call for immediate opening of Shannon Crossing

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary, Ryan O’Meara, has urged that the new Shannon Crossing between Ballina and Killaloe be opened without further delay, emphasising the importance of having the route operational in advance of the busy Easter weekend.

“With the final safety audit now complete, there is no clear reason why this crucial piece of infrastructure should not be open to the public,” Deputy O’Meara said. “Any remaining snag list items should be addressed as a matter of urgency over the coming days.”

Deputy O’Meara acknowledged the significant effort and investment that has gone into delivering the Shannon Crossing, noting the patience shown by the people of Ballina throughout years of construction.

“This project has been a long time coming. People have lived with the disruption because they believed in the long-term benefit—and rightly so. But now, with construction largely complete and all major safety checks signed off, the priority must be to deliver access as soon as possible,” he said.

He added that the Shannon Crossing will play a key role in easing congestion and improving connectivity in the region. “The opening of this new bridge will transform local travel and bring lasting benefits to the twin towns and beyond. It’s important we don’t allow small outstanding tasks to stand in the way of that progress, particularly ahead of what will be a busy Easter weekend for local residents and visitors alike.”

Deputy O’Meara concluded by calling on the relevant authorities to act promptly. “There is a strong public expectation that the Shannon Crossing will open imminently. I believe that expectation is entirely reasonable, and I’m urging all those involved to ensure it happens without further delay.”