'It will mean growth for Macroom': Long-awaited bypass opens to traffic

The new road will reduce traffic in the town centre by 40% and shave around 20 minutes off the Cork to Killarney journey time

The bypass opened on budget and ahead of schedule on Friday. Picture: Brian Lougheed

The long-awaited Macroom bypass was opened to traffic, on budget and ahead of schedule on Friday, alleviating one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in Munster.

The first 8km section of the €280m, 22km N22 Ballyvourney-Macroom road runs from Coolcour, on the Cork city side of Macroom to Carrigaphooca on the western side and bypasses Macroom to the north. It will take an estimated 13,000 vehicles daily, reducing traffic in the town centre by 40% and shaving around 20 minutes off the Cork to Killarney journey time.