Dunkettle Interchange project officially opened
Journey times during peak hours have reduced by almost 50 per cent because of the new €215m Dunkettle Interchange upgrade, it was claimed this week as the project was officially opened.
The Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade Scheme was officially opened on Monday 12 February. Advance works including archaeological and ground investigations got underway in 2016 with the main construction contract awarded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to John Sisk & Son Ltd in October 2020.
The project has delivered 18 new road links totalling 10km in length; seven new bridge structures as well as upgrade works carried out on five pre-existing structures; and upgrades and resurfacing works to the N25 road between Tivoli Roundabout and the Little Island Interchange.
2.9km of new walkways and cycleways have been developed including the provision of a new bridge across the Cork-Midleton railway line as well as new culverts and pollution control facilities, landscaping works and other minor works.
Traffic volumes through the Dunkettle interchange are at an all-time high, approaching 120,000 vehicles on the busier days of the week. Despite this, Transport Infrastructure Ireland reported “that journey times during peak hours have reduced by almost 50% on average as a result of this upgrade project. Journey time savings of almost 60% are being achieved on the N40 to N25 route during peak hours, whilst time savings of over 50% are being achieved on routes accessed via the M8 Southbound.”
It was officially opened by An Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD: “This infrastructure project represents a significant investment in Cork's future and provides a vital link in the region's transport network.
“I believe that it will be a catalyst for enhancing economic and social activity right across Cork and the entire Munster region.”
The Dunkettle Interchange is the junction of 4 national roads, the M8 Cork - Dublin motorway, the N25 Cork - Waterford / Rosslare route, the N40 Cork South Ring Road and the N8 Dunkettle - Cork city national route.
The Interchange is five kilometres east of Cork city centre.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: “This year marks 25 years since the Jack Lynch Tunnel opened, which in its day was seen as an engineering feat. The new interchange is also an engineering feat and adds to the adjacent tunnel's story and narratives.
“In our time, the removal of critical bottlenecks creates better traffic flows but also greater connectivity between communities on either side of the River Lee's estuary. The enhanced connectivity facilitated by this project will undoubtedly fuel progress and opportunity for generations to come.”
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Frank O’Flynn said: “The Dunkettle interchange works also support the council and ambition of developing sustainable travel modes by facilitating safe pedestrian and cyclist mobility in the context of the ongoing development of the Eastern Metropolitan Active Travel Corridor which it is planned will extend to Midleton in the near future. These initiatives make it a particularly exciting time in terms of quality-of-life improvements for the people of Cork.”
Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, said: “The Dunkettle Project completion marks the culmination of a journey that has been 10 years in the making. Planning permission for the scheme was first received in 2013, and ongoing close collaboration between the Government, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, John Sisk & Son Ltd and Jacobs allowed the project to move forward.”
Will Merriman, Managing Director of Sisk’s Civil Engineering Ireland, said: “Dunkettle was an extremely complex project, working in and around live traffic at one of the country's busiest intersections, in a major urban environment.
“We are delighted to have now delivered and handed over the project which has already improved traffic flow, mobility, and multi-user access in the region.”
The contract for the Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade Scheme includes a maintenance period which will run until 2027. In addition to environmental monitoring and landscaping management, this will also include an ongoing focus on monitoring traffic flows through the network.
Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, said: “This project not only improves connectivity and accessibility but also contributes to our broader sustainability goals with new cycle routes an integral part of the upgrade.
“This, accompanied with the increased 15 minute frequency of the suburban rail line, provides multimodal travel opportunities for the people of Cork and will help us take significant strides towards achieving our 2030 climate neutral targets.”