M28 - Cork to Ringaskiddy [advance works pending; 2024 start]

from Peter Horgan’s Facebook

A number of residents have contacted me seeking update on works for the M28. I’ve received the below update from the Liason Officer

Advance works in the form of site fencing and clearance have commenced in the Ringaskiddy area and we will be working our way towards Carrs hill in the coming months. Ground investigation, utility diversions and a full archaeology contract will then be undertaken in advance of the appointment of the main construction contractor. Going forward information will be available on the M28 Project on our website www.corkrdo.ie where you can go to Major Schemes and scroll down to the M28 Project. With particular reference to the Maryborough Hill and Lissadell area it should be noted that we will be demolishing Radaville House, which is located just at the slip road to the M28, starting on the 29th of September. The main demolition works will be undertaken on Saturday morning the 02nd of October, however it is expected that there will be minimum disruption to traffic in the area.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPeterHorganLabour%2Fposts%2F4598205460200674&show_text=true

Why such a long lead time post PP, or that is bang on normal in Ireland?

Archaeology still needs to be done as well, that'll likely come before big diversions.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_docs.asp?PID=192151&LID=218333&AllowPrint=1

Same on the section from Shannonpark to Ringaskiddy (south of the current road)

Progress (at last)

A status report of sorts. Assuming tendering and award in 2023 (and that may be a big assumption based on the cautious language) and a construction period of 3-4 years, we are still looking at a completion date of 2027/2028. The other concern is the mention of "It is quite an archeologically rich part of the country" I shudder to think of where this could lead us....

If you are short of time just read the two paragraphs under Peter Welsh's name.

The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications met with reps from  TII and NTA on Wednesday, 3 Nov 2021. Jerry Buttimer, who was one of the many politicians who joined Harrington’s failed fusiliers in their opposition to the M28, asked about the progress to date. I’ve snipped a lot to save you time wading through irrelevant twaddle (e.g. Buttimer: “I meant to ask at our meeting with her whether the <Cork Bus> livery would be still red and white. It is a parochial matter but it is distinctive in the context of Cork.")

I particularly love the bit where Buttimer (in full Boris Johnson mode) says "I am of the view that people want project visualisation. They want projects started. They want to see projects finished. Whether it is roads, light rail or buses, they want to see it done" Hey Jerry, you, together with your spineless fellow politicians and the Steering Group, are the main reason the start and completion of the M28 project was delayed by three whole years for absolutely no good reason.

Will the county council be building the whole thing or just their half?

Thanks! It will be interesting to see if the new signage accounts for the fact that most of the road will now be in Cork and not county countryside like before

Worse than acting like it didn't happen, he's actively pretending that he's of the opposite view: he wants the road to progress quickly!

Mind you, the same chap stated that he's against both density and urban sprawl as the city grows, and is in favour of more ground floor penthouses. Maybe he's both strongly pro the N28 upgrade and strongly against the N28 upgrade?

I know this isn't the place for politics, but we could do without councilors like that.

I have little time for Buttimer but is there a chance he's looking for the the shortest disturbance possible due to construction now that it's going ahead?

IMO Buttimer has just changed horses.

As an aside, I wonder is that where the expression "he has a neck like a jockey's boll*x" comes from....or similar?

Not that I'm call Buttimer a boll*x - no in public any way.

Seriously, Buttimer has just re-evaluated, and is now backing the side that will potentially give him most votes. Watch out for his next newsletter - you'll thnik he singlehandedly delivered the project.

He'd be a great man on a horse...or maybe an ass would suit him better!

Roll on the start of construction!

I'd assume they're all different - the number of structures to be built - taking account of neighbours , ground conditions and tying in to existing junctions on the route - and not interfering with existing traffic ..the contractors tend not to hang around though ..

From memory Cashel to Cullahill was a three year contract that completed and opened 8 or 9 months early. It’s early days in relation to the M28 and Peter Walsh was giving an estimate and was naturally covering himself. A firm timeline will emerge when the contract is awarded. Bear in mind that despite being shorter, the M28 has some significant complicating factors such as complex structures and works in-situ or adjacent to the existing live road including Bloomfield Junction expansion, Mount Oval slip reingineering, Maryborough hill bridge demolition and rebuilding, Carr’s Hill interchange and Shanonpark interchange.

The Maryborough Hill bridge reconstruction will be extremely welcome. Firstly, it removes the awkward pedestrian crossing of the slip road, while also having a continuous footpath all the way up the hill now. The cycle lane will also be extended onto the bridge now to fully connect it up to the Garryduff Rd junction. Bikes merging out of the cycle lane as it ends before the hill is really dangerous - cars can't safely overtake without crossing to the other side of the road and most don't (or they don't wait the 20 seconds of slow speed for the cycle lane to re-appear). Does anyone have a link to the finalised drawings?