N28 replacement approved for almost half a billion
The construction of a new road connecting Cork to Ringaskiddy has been approved today with works to get underway immediately.
This morning, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD announced that the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road Project had been green lit by Cabinet with an estimated cost of €456 million.
The project, which will take at least three years to complete, will replace the existing N28 with an aim to greatly improve road safety with reduced potential for collisions.
It will also improve access to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, allowing for the transfer of port activities from Tivoli in Cork city centre, allowing for the redevelopment of lands at Tivoli for residential and commercial purposes.
The project involves the construction of approximately 11km of motorway from the N40 Bloomfield Interchange to Barnahely, with a 1.5km single carriageway protected road linking to the eastern side of Ringaskiddy. This 1.5km section is being undertaken as “advance works” and is already under construction.
Following today’s cabinet approval, Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “This major new road project will greatly improve access to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods to and from the port, while also supporting the additional port activities to Ringaskiddy.
“As a result, lands at Tivoli Docks in Cork city can be repurposed for much-needed residential and commercial development,” added the Minister.
He also welcomed the positive impact the project will have on journey times for commuters as well as its role in easing congestion and improving air quality in Shanbally and Ringaskiddy.
Cork TD and Minister of State for Transport with responsibility for rural transport, Jerry Buttimer, said: “addition to the benefits it will deliver for access to the port at Ringaskiddy and for road safety, the project will also benefit the people of Cork with further development of bus-based public transport, and by reducing journey times for those on their daily commute.
“As a TD in Cork South Central, I have engaged with communities and business on this project for decades. I am glad it is being delivered and is a priority for this government,” added Mr Buttimer.
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney TD also welcomed the news and pointed out that the project also includes a number of active travel elements which he said, “will make walking and cycling more attractive to commuters and local residents”.
Also commenting was Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), who said that upon completion, the project will complete another important link in the Trans‐European Transport Network (TEN-T).