Jack Lynch Tunnel
Jack Lynch Tunnel Tollán Sheáin Uí Loingsigh | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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From: | Dunkettle | ||
To: | Mahon | ||
Location | |||
Cork | |||
County | |||
Cork | |||
Highway Authority | |||
Transport Infrastructure Ireland | |||
Opening Date | |||
1999 | |||
Additional Information | |||
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On road(s) | |||
N40 | |||
The Jack Lynch Tunnel is an immersed tube tunnel under the River Lee. It forms part of both the route along the south coast of Ireland, and the N40 Cork South Ring Road. It was part of the N25 until 2012.
Unlike the Limerick Tunnel and Dublin Tunnel, no toll is charged for use of the Jack Lynch Tunnel. A toll proposal was made, but not pursued.
During construction, the project was known simply as the "Lee Tunnel", but on it official opening in 1999, the tunnel was named after Jack Lynch, former taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland, and native of Cork.
The opening of the tunnel allowed Cork to fulfil its dream of having a network of roads "built to urban motorway standard", as had been stated back in 1965.
A planning inquiry in 1985 examined three potential crossings for "Downstream Crossing of the River Lee", these were: a £45m single carriageway lifting bridge, a £65m dual carriageway high level fixed bridge and a £46m single carriageway tunnel.
The high level bridge was widely criticised, while the other two options performed well. The roads secretary confirmed in 1987 that Dunkettle was the preferred site, and an immersed tube tunnel was the preferred option. It was built as a dual carriageway.
Links
- RTÉ Archives: A Tunnel or Bridge for Cork 24.07.1990 (archive.org)
Jack Lynch Tunnel | ||||||||
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