Cork flyovers will save 30 minutes

FLYOVERS which will be built at two of Cork’s most notorious bottlenecks this year will save motorists at least 30 minutes at peak times.

It is hoped that contracts for the construction of the flyovers at the Sarsfield road and Bandon road roundabouts on the N25 south ring road will be awarded within weeks.

It follows confirmation from the Government that some €877 million is to be spent on the National Roads Programme.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) is expected to sign off on the money, which includes €14.5m to start the flyovers, within days.

Both junctions have become chronic bottlenecks since the construction of the flyover at the Kinsale road roundabout.

The two flyovers will be built in about two years by BAM Construction under a single contract.

The overall value of the scheme is estimated at €100m. It includes two flyovers, about eight kilometres of dual carriageway and link roads, pedestrian and cyclist facilities and lighting, and the removal of the two existing footbridges.

Preparatory works have been under way for some time in anticipation of funding.

Engineers have also had talks with the emergency services to ensure that ambulances in particular, en route to nearby Cork University Hospital, are not delayed.

“While there will inevitably be some disruption during the construction phase, I believe this project will be of major benefit to Cork commuters and provides a welcome boost to the local economy,” Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath said.

The public has now been invited to register on an email database for regular updates, and for information on traffic diversions.

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