Contracts Signed for Closure or Upgrade of Seven Level Crossings on Cork Line
Contracts signed to close or upgrade seven manned level crossings between Limerick Junction and Mallow. Works expected to be completed by April 2028.
Iarnród Éireann has today confirmed that contracts are signed and works are set to begin to close or upgrade seven manned public road level crossings between Limerick Junction and Mallow on the Dublin - Cork rail line.
The €28m level crossings improvement project is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority. Six crossings will close and one will be upgraded to a CCTV level crossing.
Level crossings at Fantstown and Thomastown in Limerick, and at Newtown, Ballycoskery, Shinanagh and Buttevant in Cork, will close, with replacement bridge or road solutions provided at each location. Ballyhay level crossing in Cork will be upgraded. Thomastown, Ballycoskery and Buttevant will each get a new overbridge, Newtown and Shinanagh will each get a new access road, and Fantstown will close.
The works along this 24km section of the Cork/Dublin line will support a safer, more operationally resilient network for both rail and road users. Iarnród Éireann says this is particularly important as planned future service enhancements, such as reduced journey times and electrification, are realised.
Following a procurement and tendering process undertaken over the last number of months, contractor Jons Civil Engineering Ltd is expected to be on site in the coming days to commence the works. The project is expected to be completed by April 2028.
Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Transport:
“I welcome today’s announcement in relation to the Cork Line Level Crossings Project, another key rail infrastructure enhancement project progressing through to construction phase. Removal or upgrade of these seven level crossings on the Dublin – Cork rail line will support a safer and more resilient transport network for both road and rail users between Limerick Junction and Mallow.”
Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann:
“The interface between road and rail users at level crossings represents one of the greatest safety risks on the railway. Removal and improvement of the seven level crossings along this section of the network will support future service level enhancements on the Dublin - Cork line and ensure a safer rail network for all.”
John Pentony, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Jons Civil Engineering Limited:
“Jons Civil Engineering Ltd are delighted to be appointed as the Main Contractor on the Cork Line Level Crossing project and look forward to continuing our longstanding collaborate [sic] working relationship with Iarnród Eireann [sic] to safely deliver the works. Our aligned core values of promoting Safety, Respect, Positive Community Engagement and working collaboratively on Sustainability Initiatives will bring added value to the scheme.”
Iarnród Éireann says managing the safety of level crossings is a primary objective, with all crossings on the national network continuously evaluated. The number of crossings has fallen year on year: 853 today, against 902 in 2022 and over 2,000 in 2002. A further 11 crossings are projected to be eliminated by end of 2026.
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