Cork council engineers to raise traffic gridlock issues on eastern approach to Jack Lynch Tunnel

Motorists from east Cork say they are queuing even longer than ever during rush hours due to increasing tailbacks

Approaches to the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle Interchange are becoming a nightmare bottleneck for motorists commuting from east Cork.

Cork County Council engineers are to raise the issue of increased traffic gridlock on the eastern approaches to the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle Interchange with the project team in charge of its multi-million euro upgrade.

Councillors representing the east Cork region have highlighted increasing tailbacks facing their constituents during rush-hours claiming they are queuing even longer than ever.

They have also highlighted the need to fast-track other roads projects earmarked for the region as if not implemented they will stall the development of further housing.

Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty said approaches to the tunnel are becoming a nightmare bottleneck for motorists commuting into the city from east Cork.

Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry who lives in Carrigtwohill added: “The upgrade there has made absolutely no difference for those coming from east Cork. In fact it’s only made it worse."

Fianna Fail councillor Sheila O’Callaghan, who lives in Watergrasshill, described the interchange upgrade as “seriously underwhelming” and says congestion is so bad there she takes byroads through Knockraha and Glounthaune to avoid it when travelling to and from east Cork.

Significant increase in traffic using Dunkettle Interchange

Council engineers said there has been a significant increase in traffic using the interchange since covid and the project design team are still trying "to optimise traffic flow there". 

They said they will highlight the councillors’ concerns to them and the National Roads Design Office.

Mr Barry added that the lack of funding for the upgrade of the N25 between Carrigtwohill and Midleton is a major cause for concern as the dual carriageway is now “over capacity". 

He said planned closing of median turn-offs along the route will drive even more vehicles into an increasingly gridlocked Carrigtwohill.

He said if the N25 isn’t upgraded it will stall housing projects in the area which are dependent on the improved road infrastructure.

Council engineers said they received some money from TII that allows a design team to work on that project.

They said “it’s a priority” to progress the project, along with the Midleton northern relief road, which has again received small funding from the government.

Meanwhile, Mr Hegarty and Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley suggested they would both “be pushing up daisies” before planned bypasses of Killeagh and Castlemartyr are complete.

They said the council should push for shorter and cheaper relief roads in both villages because it’s the more sensible short-term solution.