'An absolutely huge relief to have it finished': Macroom bypass to fully open on Monday

The final section of the N22 Macroom bypass is due to open to traffic on Monday, allowing road users to travel westwards along the new road’s full length.

The route is currently open to traffic from Coolour Roundabout to the east, as far as Toonlane Junction at Baile Mhic Íre.

The final section, which had been due to open last week, will now stretch from the Toonlane Junction to the Baile Bhuirne Junction at the western end of the new road and onwards to the existing N22 towards Kerry.

Fine Gael's Deputy Michael Creed Cork said that it is, “an absolutely huge relief to finally have it finished.” 

Work has been ongoing on the bypass since January 2020.

The first section of the road opened to traffic in December 2022, with the second section opening in August 2023.

The Cork North West TD said that the opening of the first two sections of the road had proved greatly beneficial for the area and had already dramatically cut the travel time between Cork and Kerry.

“It is a huge benefit, one of the biggest benefits for the Muskerry area in a number of years.” 

“We have been 30 years waiting for the Macroom bypass and it is already just unbelievable for the town of Macroom and for the people traveling between Cork and Kerry now, significantly reducing their travelling time,” he said.

Deputy Creed said that the opening of the bypass has also benefitted traders. 

“Macroom was an awful bottleneck with traffic but the funny thing about Macroom now is that it has actually gotten busier since the opening of the first stages of the bypass.”

"I hear from all the traders that their business is way up. People from the likes of Ballyvourney, Lissarda or the hinterland around Kilmurry used to bypass Macroom and head to Killarney or to Cork before the opening of the bypass. Now, they are all coming into Macroom and shopping in the town.” 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to officially open the final stretch of the long-awaited road.

Macroom-based engineering company Jons-John Cradock JV Ltd, has worked on the development since 2020. 

A spokesperson for the company said the contractor is delighted to have successfully delivered the project and would like to acknowledge the co-operation and assistance received from all road users and property owners during the construction stage.

“We trust that the new road will deliver improved road safety, better connectivity, and improved journey times for all road user for many years to come.” 

Road users are requested to drive with caution on the new section of the N22 road once it is open to traffic, particularly on the approach to the new junctions at Toonlane (Baile Mhic Ire) and at Baile Bhuirne, until they become familiar with the new junction layouts.