Cork Luas preferred route to be unveiled with major changes later this month

Revised Cork light rail route expected to include western extension and changes in Bishopstown ahead of public consultation

The €1bn-plus light rail route, as outlined in the EPR, runs 18km from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east, via the city centre. Picture: LuasCork.ie

The preferred route for the Cork Luas will be published later this month and is expected to contain a number of significant changes to the earlier emerging preferred route (EPR), which was published last year.

Among the changes understood to be included are a 2km extension at the western end, a rerouting in Bishopstown to travel behind Cork University Hospital (CUH) instead of in front of it, and what have been described as “minor” adjustments in Ballinlough.

Concerns were raised last year about the EPR, including that the west side of Ballincollig would not benefit from the Cork Luas. Misgivings were also voiced about traffic pinch-points such as Wilton Rd, MacCurtain St, Skehard Rd, and Churchyard Lane.

The €1bn-plus light rail route, as outlined in the EPR, runs 18km from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east, via the city centre.

The proposed line has 25 stops, including MTU, CUH, UCC, the city centre, Kent Station, the Docklands, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and Mahon.

The preferred route will be launched on Friday, April 17, marking the commencement of a non-statutory public consultation.

Earlier this week, a Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) spokesperson told the Irish Examiner that since the non-statutory public consultation on the EPR closed in June 2025, TII and the National Transport Authority (NTA) had been studying the submissions received.

“We expect to have completed our refined design soon, at which stage it will be published as a preferred route for another non-statutory public consultation,” they said.

“All residents, businesses, elected representatives and key stakeholders will be able to review this preferred route and make submissions before a final route design is prepared for the application of a railway order.” 

Railway orders are statutory planning authorisations required to build or alter major railway infrastructure, permitting construction, environmental mitigation, and compulsory purchases.

The updated consultation website, luascork.ie, will go live at 11am on the same morning the preferred route is unveiled, with submissions from stakeholders and the public welcomed until Friday, June 12. A series of open days and briefings will also be held across the city.