Cabinet approves €456m M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway project

Construction to begin immediately on 11km motorway aimed at easing congestion, improving safety and boosting port access

Map showing the route of the planned M28 motorway to Ringaskiddy.

Cabinet has given the green light today for the €456 million M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway, insisting it will “immediately progress to the construction phase”.

The scheme, which secured planning in 2018, involves the construction of approximately 11km of motorway from the N40 Bloomfield Interchange to Barnahely near the Port of Cork, with a 1.5km single carriageway protected road linking to the eastern side of Ringaskiddy.

Work on this 1.5km section is already under way as part of a separate contract.

However, Cabinet approval was required before contracts could be signed for the main 10km stretch from the Bloomfield Interchange to Ringaskiddy village.

It is expected to take three years to complete.

The M28 will replace the existing N28, which was not designed to accommodate current traffic volumes. It will also improve road safety on a stretch which has seen many serious road traffic collisions and fatalities, especially around Carr’s Hill.

In a statement this morning, transport minister Darragh O’Brien confirmed approval for the motorway.

“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,” he said.

“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.” 

Seán Canney, the minister of state with responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, said the 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,” he said.

Minister of state for transport, with responsibility for rural transport, Jerry Buttimer, also welcomed the announcement. “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,” he said.

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Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s chief executive Peter Walsh said once complete, the M28 will provide a high-quality motorway standard connection to one of Ireland’s deep-water ports.

“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,” he said.