Infrastructure

The new grade-separated interchange at Carr’s Hill, which will involve major earthworks to construct, will provide direct access to the M28 for the rapidly expanding Douglas area.

The M28 will provide a high-capacity, free-flow link to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, a key requirement of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy. The Port has lodged plans to extend its Deepwater Berth, deliver a new container terminal, and develop the CORE1 berth for the offshore renewable energy sector. The M28 will streamline freight access, reduce congestion, and

Cork County Council, in partnership with TII, has completed the €3.8 million Ringaskiddy Active Travel and Urban Realm Scheme, constructed by Coffey Construction Ltd. The project delivered a 1.75 km shared path linking the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy village, and Gobby Beach, supported by a €1 million contribution from the Port of Cork. Together with the M28 Motorway Project, it has reduced traffic speeds and enhanced the village environment for residents and visitors.

On the eastbound approach, a 17m deep cut will open up onto the new Shannonpark Interchange. The new grade-separated dumbbell interchange will be built at Shannonpark to replace the existing at-grade junction, which suffers from major congestion and safety issues.

At Shanbally, the interchange will be a grade-separated junction designed for smoother and safer traffic flow. A large roundabout, with a minimum diameter of 60 metres, will connect local traffic with the motorway. Southbound vehicles will be able to exit the M28 here, while northbound traffic will merge back onto the motorway.

The Bloomfield Interchange upgrade will introduce a new bridge carrying a dedicated westbound lane, eliminating weaving movements and greatly improving road safety. Identified as a key measure in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), this design will reduce collision risks and enhance traffic flow. The scheme will also deliver new noise mitigation measures for the first time in this densely populated area, improving the quality of life for local residents.

The Ringaskiddy Relief Road from Barnahely to the Port of Cork will deliver 1.5 km of new single carriageway with roundabouts at Barnahely, Loughbeg, and east of Ringaskiddy. The works, constructed by Sorensen Civil Engineering, include footpaths, cycle facilities, underpasses, major earthworks, drainage, and utility diversions, improving safety and connectivity for all road users.

The existing bridge and substandard northbound on-ramp at Maryborough Hill will be removed and replaced with a widened bridge built to modern design standards. The new structure will provide greater capacity and safer, wider footpaths for pedestrians and cyclists. This upgrade will eliminate a known safety risk and support a safer, higher-capacity, and strategically aligned M28 road network.