Bypass finally opens in Macroom
Cork’s new dual carriageway was officially opened recently to traffic.
The N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom section of the Macroom Bypass was opened by the Mayor of Cork Cllr Danny Collins and An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin. The project will be completed by 2024.
Opening ahead of schedule, the 8km new bypass road includes a roundabout at the tie-in on the eastern side of Macroom, a grade-separated junction at Gurteenroe on the western end of Macroom and a temporary tie-in at Carrigaphooca, with the temporary roundabout allowing traffic to merge onto the existing N22.
Ahead of the official opening, thousands took part in community events including the Muskerry AC fun run and walk in association with Macroom Senior Citizens and Macroom Fairy Garden. Macroom Lions Club also organised a ‘ball drop’ in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance.
Mayor Collins said: “It is a fantastic day for the people of Macroom where 13,000 cars and HGVs would travel through daily. Thanks to the bypass, the volume of traffic will decrease by 40%, leading to improved quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors to Macroom. Now, the urban renewal of Macroom will begin, where motorists travelling between Cork and Kerry will visit the town and properly experience all that Macroom has to offer without worrying about being stuck in traffic.”
Work started in January 2020 with up to 260 construction staff employed on site at the peak of the project and continuing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
In December 2020, 7 precast concrete bridge beams, the longest ever for Ireland and the UK at 49.9 metres in length, made their way to Macroom with the assistance of a garda escort over 4 nights. With only 200mm height to spare traveling through the Jack Lynch Tunnel, one of the biggest challenges was reversing the 155 tonne beams into position with only inches to spare at the existing stone arch in Macroom. The new section of road consists of 2 lanes in each direction separated by a steel median barrier. A total of 48 principal structures were built including three river bridges, 3 overbridges and 4 under bridges, walls, culverts and environmental barriers for noise reduction and 132,000 square metres of pavement.
An Taoiseach, Mícheál Martin TD said: “Delivered under Project Ireland 2040, the Macroom Bypass will greatly improve safety and accessibility for local communities who will use this road regularly as well as for those travelling between Cork and Kerry. It will encourage economic growth, supporting further investment and employment to the region. I look forward to seeing Macroom and the wider region go from strength to strength in the years ahead and wish all who travel on the road a safe journey.”