Cork City's MacCurtain St opens to two-way traffic for first time since 1968
Trial arrangements taking place from Tuesday are allowing for two-way bus movement. Picture: Dan Linehan
For the first time in decades, two-way traffic has returned to Cork City's MacCurtain Street.
Traffic management barriers that were in place for the multi-million euro revitalisation project came down on Tuesday morning, with vehicular traffic now travelling in both directions, for the first time since February 2, 1968.
A trial run occurred on Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for Cork City Council told
This was carried out in order to "observe and resolve any teething issues" that may be in place and included assessing optimal traffic light sequences.
The trial running until Sunday involves empty buses running in the new direction and also means the new westbound lane has been opened to motorists for the first time.
However, the official opening for the new changes to traffic will not happen until Saturday, when Tánaiste Micheál Martin will open the new layout officially during a 'family fun day'.
Sunday will see several bus routes begin travelling in both directions of traffic on MacCurtain St and taking passengers.
Cars will also be able to travel this route but Cork City Council is encouraging motorists to continue using the quays instead as they are "the quickest and most efficient routes".
Traffic coming from Bridge Street will be able to turn right onto MacCurtain St and continue onwards.
In the other direction, traffic coming up Brian Boru Street can turn left onto MacCurtain Street before proceeding onwards towards Coburg Street.
Coming from Summerhill North, the right turn onto MacCurtain Street will be for bus use only.
It is understood that at least three existing bus routes travelling from the northside of the city to the southside will be taking a right turn from Summerhill North onto MacCurtain Street and stopping at a new bus stop outside Salvagem.
Cork City Council said it is reminding motorists to use the city centre quays as they are "the quickest and most efficient routes" when travelling in the city as "there will be a significant number of buses travelling on MacCurtain Street."
Tuesday's trial run did cause some confusion among motorists.
On Tuesday afternoon, the observed cars travelling in both directions, including one incident where a car was travelling on the westbound lane past The Everyman Theatre before meeting a car coming in the same direction from the other side.
The car immediately swerved back into the eastbound lane, following other eastbound traffic that is now restricted to one lane on MacCurtain Street.
Tom Healy, a taxi driver in Cork City told the that he did not know the two-way traffic system implementation was happening on Tuesday, and said he was confused when he saw it in place.
Full signage for the new routes has not yet been erected.
Philip Gillivan of The Shelbourne Bar said the new traffic changes will make it a "much better, positive experience for pedestrians and the person using MacCurtain Street".
He believes the new traffic system will "work out perfectly" once the proper signage is put in place.
Works have been ongoing at MacCurtain Street for the past two years as part of a public realm project that has seen millions of euros go into revamping the entire area.
The upgrade on the street is on course to be completed by mid-December and will create a vital public transport corridor.
The plan includes improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, which have been underway across a vast area on the northern side of the city's north channel for almost two years.
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