Councillor queries cost estimates for Luas Cork project 

A Cork city councillor has raised concerns that there are only very rough estimates available for the cost of the Luas Cork project, saying this should be examined before the project is progressed.

Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan asked for the estimated total cost of the project, approximate dates when work is likely will be completed, and when it will be open to the public.

The council’s directors of services Niall Ó Donnabháin and Edith Roberts told Mr O’Callaghan: “The Cork Luas route will be circa 18km in length with 25 stops and high frequency and reliable services, facilitating balanced regional development and compact growth for Cork.

“The estimated forecasted cost of the project is in the €2bn-€3bn range and more precise cost estimates will be calculable as the scheme design is progressed and subjected to a comprehensive business case,” they said.

“The emerging preferred route for the project has been published, and it is anticipated that the route will be confirmed in early 2026 ahead of the preliminary design and planning stages.”

Unfortunate 

Mr O’Callaghan told The Echo it was unfortunate that the timeline part of his question had not been answered, but said: “What would concern me more is that the estimated cost at this stage is between €2bn-€3bn — that’s a huge difference. I’m very supportive of the concept of a Cork Luas, I think it would be fantastic for the city, and I know that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is really driving the project.

“But I would have a concern that some past taoisigh have attempted grandiose projects that haven’t ended up happening.

“Also, given how major infrastructure projects in this country over the last decade or so have gone in way over their original costing, I suspect the estimated €2bn-€3bn will end up turning into many multiples of that, in reality.

“They’re pushing ahead with the project, but it needs to be talked through properly.

“How many extra buses would Cork get for €2bn? How many smaller local transport projects could be put in place?

“We have shovel-ready, properly costed schemes on hold, waiting for funding.

“We need to get costings on this set out before we embark on such a massive project.”