“A vital link that will drive economic progress” is how the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway was described at the contract signing last week in Cork.
Marking a key milestone in the delivery of the nationally significant infrastructure project, the €206 million construction contract signed by Cork County Council is part of the total project budget of €456 million, which includes funding for land costs, advance works, and relief roads. BAM will deliver the construction of 11km of mainline motorway from the Bloomfield Interchange to Barnahely, with works due to get underway in the coming months and are expected to be completed by summer 2028.
The motorway will directly support the ongoing development of the Port of Cork’s deep-water facilities in Ringaskiddy, facilitating the relocation of port activities from Tivoli. Once complete, it will also serve to enhance accessibility to a major employment hub and facilitate safer, more efficient transport for both commercial and commuter traffic.
The signing ceremony at Cork County Hall was attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer, underscoring the Government’s continued commitment to supporting key transport infrastructure in the region. The motorway is funded by the Department of Transport through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
A ‘critical component’ of the Core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the EU’s policy framework for linking ports and major logistics hubs, chief executive of Cork County Council, Moria Murrell said that “the M28 will support sustainable growth, create jobs, and enhance connectivity to our vital maritime and commercial centres.”
Works are already underway on the 1.5km Ringaskiddy Relief Road, being delivered by Sorensen Civil Engineering, to support interim access to the port area.
