Benefits

How the M28 Supports Cork’s Future

The M28 delivers key National Strategic Outcomes by strengthening Cork’s international connectivity and providing the critical link to the Port of Cork’s deep-water facilities in Ringaskiddy. It enhances freight efficiency, supports major life-sciences and manufacturing employers, and enables the Port’s Masterplan 2050.

By unlocking the regeneration of Tivoli Docks and supporting compact, sustainable growth, the M28 acts as a catalyst for long-term economic development, new housing, and a low-carbon future for Cork.

Safer, Smarter Roads

Moves heavy vehicles off local roads and onto a dedicated motorway.
Reduces congestion and improves safety for all road users.

High-Quality International Connectivity

Provides the essentiallink to the Port of Cork’s deep-water facilities.
Strenghtens global supply chains and supports international trade.

Supporting Economic Growth

Enhances access to major employers in Ringaskiddy and Douglas/Carrigaline.
Attracts new industry and investment into Cork’s metropolitan area.

Promoting Sustainability

Cuts congestion-related emissions and improves freight efficiency.
Integrates with new greenways and active travel routes.

Port of Cork Expansion

The Port of Cork’s Masterplan 2050 centres on relocating operations to modern deep-water facilities in Ringaskiddy, expanding container capacity and supporting new industries such as offshore renewables and green fuels.

As a Tier 1 port on Europe’s TEN-T core network, this growth depends on high-quality road access — and a planning condition limits throughput in Ringaskiddy until the M28 is completed.

The M28 supports increased container and bulk volumes, strengthens international supply chains, and underpins these future energy opportunities, making it the essential enabler of the Port’s long-term expansion and Cork’s economic growth.

Connectivity – Pedestrian & Cycle Routes

The M28 has been designed to facilitate and integrate with a number of existing and planned pedestrian and cycle routes, ensuring that local and regional connectivity is strengthened alongside the delivery of the motorway.

As part of the Ballybrack Valley Greenway–Carr’s Hill Link, the M28 facilitates a new pedestrian and cycle underpass beneath the motorway, providing a safe, direct connection between residential areas east of the M28 and Douglas Village. A section of the greenway is also being delivered within the M28 project boundary, ensuring continuity of the route through the scheme area.

The project also interfaces with the Lee to Sea Greenway, with the M28 facilitating onward connectivity towards Carrigaline town, supporting a continuous and accessible route for walkers, runners and cyclists along the harbour corridor.

In addition, Cork County Council is progressing the Carrigaline–Ringaskiddy Pedestrian and Cycle Route, which is currently at design and planning stage. The M28 facilitates this cross-country corridor, which runs broadly parallel to the motorway and is intended to provide a high-quality, segregated walking and cycling route between Carrigaline, Shanbally, Barnahely and Ringaskiddy. The scheme is intended to progress to Part 8 planning during 2025, subject to statutory approval.

From Port to City Quarter

The relocation of port activities to Ringaskiddy — supported by the M28 — unlocks the regeneration of the 61.5-hectare Tivoli Docks site, identified in the City Development Plan as a nationally significant urban renewal opportunity. Planning frameworks envisage a new waterfront district with 4,500–5,000 homes, up to 12,900 residents, and around 5,100 jobs, supported by parks, schools, cultural facilities, mixed-use streets and a 3 km public waterfront.

By enabling the Port of Cork’s transition from Tivoli, the M28 becomes a key catalyst for this transformation — helping deliver new housing, sustainable communities, enhanced public amenities and a major expansion of Cork’s compact, low-carbon city centre.