Light rail route being studied
The proposed light rail route planned for Cork city will begin in Ballincollig taking in several stops in the city centre and will end in Mahon.
The project is part of the €3.5 billion Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) earlier this year. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the NTA recently announced that Jacobs Engineering Ireland has been awarded the contract to undertake a route options analysis and develop initial designs for the proposed Luas Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Ballincollig to Mahon Point.
This proposed scheme will serve several destinations including Ballincollig, the proposed Cork Science and Innovation Park, CIT, CUH, UCC, Cork city centre, Kent Station/Cork North Docklands, Cork South Docklands and Mahon.
The project has been a long-term objective in the Cork Metropolitan Area under a number of local authority statutory development plans. Both Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 made commitments to progressing the scheme to support the ambitious growth projections for Cork city.
TII Chief Executive Officer Michael Nolan said: “Light rail has proven itself in many cities, including Dublin, and TII is very enthusiastic about working with the NTA and all the regional stakeholders in taking this project forward in Cork."
NTA Chief Executive Anne Graham said: “When the NTA met with the elected members of Cork City Council recently, it was clear to us that there was overwhelming support for the measures contained in the transport strategy. It was also clear to us that if the strategy is to remain a credible document in the eyes of people in Cork, it is essential that progress is made on the delivery of the key elements, sooner rather than later.
“That is why (the) announcement is significant, and we believe that it is a clear signal that implementation of the Strategy is now under way.”
A Jacobs Engineering Ireland spokesperson said: “Jacobs is delighted to be awarded the contract for the delivery of the early phases of this strategic light rail project in Cork.”