Cork County Council prepares to seek bids for Ilen Bridge scheme backed by €1m allocation

Ilen Bridge is among the projects where environmental considerations are being included in procurement, alongside the recently completed Old Court scheme near Baltimore and other bridge schemes. File picture: Denis Minihane

Cork County Council aims to seek construction bids for the Ilen Bridge road realignment next month, with €1m allocated to the project this year. 

The R586 scheme near Drimoleague in West Cork is undergoing a review of its contract documents, which must receive Department of Transport approval before contractors can be invited to bid.

The November target also depends on continued funding being available. 

Council engineer Charlie McCarthy told the Western Division committee that preparations were progressing and the documents were being finalised.

He said: “We’d be hoping to go to tender for contractors on that before the year is out.” 

The council’s written roads report gives November as the target for seeking bids for the main works, subject to the necessary approval. 

It also says a revised application for Office of Public Works consent under Section 50 has been recommended for approval.

The €1m Department of Transport allocation for 2026 is intended to support delivery of the project. 

Alongside the road realignment, the scheme has been designed to incorporate construction methods intended to reduce its carbon footprint. 

These include a lower-carbon concrete mix and warm-mix asphalt for layers beneath the finished road surface. 

The design also uses reinforcing material to reduce the thickness of the road’s supporting layers.

Drainage proposals include grassed channels, known as swales, as part of a broader council effort to incorporate nature-based drainage into road projects. 

The council’s report says its Regional and Local Roads Design Office is working on measures intended to improve water quality, reduce rapid surface-water runoff and support biodiversity.

Ilen Bridge is among the projects where environmental considerations are being included in procurement, alongside the recently completed Old Court scheme near Baltimore and other bridge schemes.

Mr McCarthy’s update places the project at the stage of completing the documents and reviews needed before construction bids can be sought. 

No construction start date was given at the meeting, with the next step dependent on departmental approval and funding.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.