The Need for the Project:
Gá leis an dtionscnamh:

The NRA’s National Road Needs Study 1998 determined the types of roadway necessary to cater for the projected traffic flows during the period 2000 – 2019 for the main road network in Ireland.  The study recommended the following improvements to the road network in the vicinity of Thurles:

• Dualling of the N8 between Cashel and the Horse & Jockey (N8/N62 junction).
• A standard two-lane carriageway to be provided between the Horse & Jockey and Thurles.

The M8/N8 Cullahill to Cashel Road Improvement Scheme is currently under construction. Access to and from Thurles will be by grade separated interchanges at Twomileborris and near the Horse & Jockey.

At present, traffic converges on Thurles from two national secondary routes and three regional routes radiating out from Liberty Square. Traffic to/from the east has only one river Suir crossing point within the town to access the N75 and the main N8 Dublin/Cork route, to the east of the town.