Projects Currently Ongoing
1. Great Island Connectivity Scheme (R624 Cobh Road)
Cobh is the second largest urban centre in the administrative area of Cork County Council. The R624 is the only road connection to Great Island and Cobh. The Local Area Plan states that the R624 has ‘serious capacity issues at peak times, it is poorly aligned in many parts and contends with flooding problems at Belvelly Bridge’ and that the R624 requires significant improvement to facilitate development in Great Island and Cobh. Cork County Council has been allocated grant funding by the Department of Transport to develop a project to address issues relating to the R624. A Strategic Assessment Report was submitted to the Department of Transport in 2022. Subject to approval of the Strategic Assessment Report, Cork County Council will develop a Preliminary Business Case in 2023.
2. Carrigaline Western Relief Road
Carrigaline is the largest urban centre in the administrative area of Cork County Council. The Carrigaline Wester Relief Road, or Pottery Road, is a 750m urban road project including a new bridge crossing the Owenabue River. The road will relieve traffic congestion on Main Street and will facilitate the ongoing development of Carrigaline.
The project was allocated grant funding by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The project also received grant funding from the National Transport Authority to deliver active travel infrastructure as part of the project. There are 1.5km of dedicated cycle tracks and over 3km of footpaths completed as part of the project.
The road was designed by Atkins Ireland, the bridge was designed by Mott MacDonald Ireland, and the water services were designed by J.B. Barry & Partners. The advance works were constructed by Martin O’Callaghan Ltd. and the main works contract was constructed by BAM Civil Ltd.
The road was officially opened in October 2022 by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and the Mayor of Cork Cllr Danny Collins.
The project has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2023 Irish Construction Excellent Awards.
3. Midleton Northern Connectivity Corridor (final phase)
Midleton is the third largest urban centre in the administrative area of Cork County Council. The completion of the Midleton Northern Connectivity Corridor requires the construction of a new road between the R627 at Broomfield and the R907/N25. This will complete a route around Midleton with links to the N25 at both ends. This will allow the reduction of traffic in the town centre, particularly heavy goods vehicles.
The project will include an upgrade of the existing junction between the R907 and the N25 with a new roundabout. This roundabout will enhance road safety.
The proposed scheme will incorporate pedestrian and cycling facilities to link with facilities on the existing section of the Connectivity Corridor, as well as with the Midleton-Youghal Greenway.
Cork County Council expects the preliminary design to be completed in 2023 with statutory processes targeted for the second half of 2023.
The preliminary design is being undertaken by Atkins Ireland.
4. Realignment of R595 Oldcourt, Baltimore, Skibbreen
Road improvement works to the R595 at Oldcourt, near Baltimore are required to improve road safety. The existing road at this location has inadequate width and poor horizontal and vertical alignment. The required realignment works will be 700 metres in length.
The Elected Members of Cork County Council granted planning permission to the project in 2018. Advance works have been completed and main works construction is targeted for 2023.
Cork County Council has been allocated grant funding by the Department of Transport to deliver the project.
The detailed design is being undertaken by O’Connor Sutton Cronin.
5. Realignment of R586 at Ilen Bridge
Road improvement works to the R586 at Ilen Bridge, near Drimoleague are required to improve road safety. The existing road at this location has poor horizontal and vertical alignment. The required realignment works will be 1.2km in length and will include the construction of a new bridge over the River Ilen.
Cork County Council has been allocated grant funding by the Department of Transport to deliver the project.
Extensive advance works, including site clearance, fencing, drainage and the construction of 2 cattle underpasses, commenced in March 2023. The advance works are being constructed by Martin O’Callaghan Ltd. The main works construction of the project is targeted for 2024.
6. Realignment of R572 at Adrigole
Road improvement works to the R572 at Adrigole are required to improve road safety. The existing road at this location has poor horizontal alignment.
Cork County Council has been allocated grant funding by the Department of Transport to deliver the project.
The preliminary design is being undertaken by Atkins Ireland. Completion of the preliminary design is targeted for 2023.
7. Upgrade of R600 Bowen’s Cross
Road improvement works to the R600 at Bowen’s Cross are required to improve road safety. The existing road at this location has poor horizontal and vertical alignment.
The Elected Members of Cork County Council granted Part 8 Planning Permission to the project in 2022.
Cork County Council has been allocated grant funding by the Department of Transport to deliver the project.
The detailed design of the works is being undertaken by Cork County Council. The main works construction is targeted for 2023.
8. Active travel enhancements at Ballinrea Road and the Ashgrove Roundabout, Carrigaline
Carrigaline is the largest urban centre in the administrative area of Cork County Council. Improved pedestrian and cycle measures along the Ballinrea Road and at the Ashgrove Roundabout were required to promote active travel in Carrigaline, particularly in the vicinity of the CETB educational campus.
The Elected Members of Cork County Council granted Part 8 Planning Permission to the project in 2020.
Cork County Council was allocated grant funding by the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority to deliver the project.
The works were designed by Cork County Council and constructed by McGinty O’Shea Ltd. The works were completed in 2022.
The project has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2022 Irish Construction Excellent Award.
9. Pilot Project on Green Public Procurement in Roads Maintenance
The 2023 Climate Action Plan has set ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and to achieve net zero by 2050. In 2023 Cork County Council was granted funding by the Department of Transport to undertake a green public procurement (GPP) pilot project. The project will examine ways to integrate GPP into road maintenance programmes. GPP will play a key role in transitioning to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. Cork County Council will use GPP to develop innovative, environmentally friendly products and services in roads maintenance. The extent of the roads network in Cork County is such that it is representative of rural Local Authorities nationally. The findings from the pilot project will benefit all Local Authorities in the development of GPP practices and in achieving carbon reduction targets.
10. Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald Boardwalk, Mallow Bridge
The Cllr. Dan Joe Fitzgerald Boardwalk at Mallow Bridge was constructed to provide safer pedestrian usage and to promote active travel in Mallow. The new boardwalk was fixed to the side of the existing masonry stone bridge thereby using an existing asset to provide sustainable travel for current and future needs. The Boardwalk was officially opened in June 2022 by the Mayor of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan.
The removal of the existing footpath from the bridge deck created road width, which allowed for turning lanes to be installed. The provision of turning lanes on the bridge deck has greatly improved traffic flow at the bridge, resulting in reduced congestion at the bridge and in the town, and improved safety for all road users.
Cork County Council was allocated grant funding by the National Transport Authority and the Southern Assembly.
The project has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2023 Irish Construction Excellent Awards and the 2023 LAMA Awards.
11. Kanturk Link Road
The Kanturk Link Road connects Bluepool Upper and Mill Road and improves connectivity and access to the town centre and to the new school on Mill Road. The completed works include 450m of new carriageway, footpaths, cycle tracks, pedestrian crossings, surface water drainage, public lighting, and ducting. The new footpaths and cycle tracks encourage active travel in the town. The road facilitates the future development of Kanturk.
Cork County Council was allocated grant funding by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The Kanturk Link Road was officially opened in November 2021 by the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan, and Mr. Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.