The Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, has confirmed that the anticipated M28 motorway link between Cork City and Ringaskiddy will go ahead.
Why is a new motorway being built?
The new motorway is being seen as a vital communications link to a part of the country where many major pharmaceutical companies, including giants such as Ely Lilly, are based. It's also where the Cork-to-Roscoff ferry runs, and direct ferry links to France have become much more significant in the post-Brexit world. The current N28 that runs between Cork and Ringaskiddy is a single-lane carriageway.
The new project will involve 11km of motorway, starting at the N40 Bloomfield Interchange and running to Barnahely, on the western edge of Ringaskiddy. A single-lane road will then make the final link to the eastern side of the area. That single-lane section will run for 1.5km and has already begun construction.
What benefits will the new road bring?
According to the Department of Transport, the replacement for the N28 road, which was never designed to handle its current traffic volumes, “will greatly improve road safety with reduced potential for collisions.” The new road will also, according to the Department, “improve access to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, allowing for the transfer of port activities from Tivoli in Cork city centre. In turn, this will facilitate the redevelopment of lands at Tivoli for residential and commercial purposes.”
The new M28 is projected to cost €456 million and take up to three years to complete. It's part of the recently announced €633 million in road maintenance and construction funds.
Minister 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. I also welcome 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.”
'Active travel elements'
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said: “This project will deliver improved road safety for all road users travelling to and from Ringaskiddy. I also welcome the fact that it includes a number of active travel elements which will make walking and cycling more attractive to commuters and local residents.”
Minister of State for Transport with responsibility for rural transport, Jerry Buttimer, said: “I welcome the approval of the M28 project. In 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.”
Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), said: “TII welcomes Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien's announcement today. The M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy project upon completion will provide a high-quality motorway standard connection to one of Ireland's deep-water ports in Ringaskiddy, offering safer travel for all road users and relieve traffic congestion for residents and businesses alike. It will also complete another important link in the Trans‐European Transport Network (TEN-T), a vital transportation network that connects the island of Ireland to the rest of Europe and the world.”
However, there have been criticisms of the Government's road-building plans of late, with environmental campaigners saying that the road-building budget would be better spent on public transport infrastructure instead.