Dunkettle upgrade opens with Jack Lynch Tunnel connected to M8

Transport Infrastructure Ireland completed work on the link on Tuesday evening, with the new section opening overnight

The new road on the Dunkettle Interchange connects the Jack Lynch Tunnel to the M8 — the motorway to Dublin. Picture: Gerard McCarthy

Motorists in Cork City will find things a little different from Wednesday as the latest upgrade of the Dunkettle Interchange has opened.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) completed work on the link on Tuesday evening, with the new section opening overnight.

The new road on the interchange will connect the Jack Lynch Tunnel with the M8 to Dublin — which should reduce journey times and congestion around Dunkettle.

The new link will branch off the exit of the tunnel, with the option to turn right to head through the interchange before merging with traffic approaching from the left-hand side (the N40).

Earlier this year, the Dunkettle Interchange became free-flow, with the six sets of traffic lights that had been around it switched off and six crucial link roads opened.

Works had been ongoing on the interchange for more than 18 months.

The junction handles more than 100,000 vehicle movements a day on the main approach routes to Cork City from Dublin and Waterford.

You can get detailed route map information, and updates on future link openings and diversions from dunkettle.ie.