The Tánaiste says the door hasn’t been entirely closed on the Northern Distributor Road.
It’s believed Transport Minister Eamon Ryan halted the progress of phase 2 of the project ‘by ministerial order’ earlier this year, despite construction of the first phase from Coonagh to Knockalisheen being well underway.
The road’s second phase was excluded from the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy last April, a decision which was met with dismay and anger by elected representatives here.
Leo Varadkar says while he believes the focus should be on the development of a commuter rail around Limerick, linking to Shannon Airport, it doesn’t mean the road not being finished is a fait accompli.
