Final section of N22 Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass officially opened
A section of the newly-completed N22 Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass from February 2023. Picture: Neil Michael.
The final section of the N22 Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass has been officially opened, with the ribbon cut on the last 6km by Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and chief executive of Cork County Council Valerie O’Sullivan today.
The completed dual carriageway extends from the eastern side of Macroom at Coolcower to the townland of An Sliabh Riabhach on the western side of Baile Bhuirne, Macroom Town, with Baile Mhic Íre and Baile Bhuirne bypassed as part of the project.
Cllr Frank O’Flynn noted that when the first section of this project opened in December 2022, air pollution in Macroom town immediately reduced by more than 50%.
“The reduction in heavy goods vehicles will make access to the local schools and businesses a lot safer, and the improved connectivity between both Cork and Killarney will also make this area even more attractive for housing developments”, the County Mayor added.
The €280m project was funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and progressed under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040.
The number of work-hours during the construction stage amounts to 1.8m, with over 300 construction staff working each day during the peak.
In total, 2,200 people were directly involved including engineers, designers, planners, supervisors, excavator and dumper drivers, carpenters, steel fixers, pipe layers, pavement laying crews and traffic management operatives.
It features four junctions and 101 principal structures including four river bridges, four overbridges, 15 underbridges, retaining walls, bases for variable message signs, culverts, and environmental barriers.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said, “The completion of this eagerly anticipated bypass will be of great benefit to the residents of Cork and Kerry and the many visitors to this beautiful region.
“By improving connectivity between Cork, Killarney and Tralee for business and tourism, this project will boost local, regional and national development.
“This project is an impressive feat of engineering and I would like to commend everyone who has been involved from the contractors, to Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.”
Construction of the 22km road began in January 2020 with contractors Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd and John Cradock Ltd working together as a joint venture, J.B Barry & Partners as the the Contractor’s Designer and Mott MacDonald as the Employer’s Representative on the project.
The new section of road features one of the deepest cuts ever excavated and blasted in Ireland, with over 500,000 m3 of rock was broken and blasted over a two-year period, then rock recycled to form the foundation of the road.
Ahead of the official opening, hundreds of people took part in the West Muskerry AC, 5km race and walk on the new section of the bypass on Saturday, October 21, which raised funds for the Ionad Lae Day Centre in Baile Bhuirne and the local GAA club, Naomh Abán.
Chief executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Peter Walsh commented: “Today is a significant day for the people of County Cork and County Kerry and for all those who use the N22.
“Bringing this section of the N22 route up to a modern engineering standard, delivers on both safety and efficiency - it will make a tangible difference to the daily lives of the people who live, work, and travel throughout the area."
Chief executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added: “The town of Macroom and its surrounding area has flourished since it was bypassed late last year.
“The removal of the congestion has made it a more attractive location for motorists to stop on route from Cork to Kerry and sample the services that Macroom has to offer - I would expect to see similar benefits for the villages of Baile Bhuirne and Baile Mhic Íre.”
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