Design Team Appointed for N25 Midleton-Youghal Bypass Project
Design team appointed for N25 Midleton-Youghal bypass project. Public consultation expected to begin during two-year Options Selection phase.
Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have selected the design consultancy team that will advance the N25 Midleton to Youghal transport scheme, marking a significant step forward for the long-awaited bypasses of Castlemartyr and Killeagh.
Roughan and O'Donovan Ltd. / AECOM Ireland Ltd. Alliance were appointed on 10 February following a competitive procurement process to identify the most economically advantageous tenderer for the multi-annual, multi-million euro infrastructure project.
The consultants will guide the scheme through three critical phases: Options Selection (TII Gate 2), Design and Environment Evaluation (TII Gate 3), and the Statutory Process planning phase (TII Gate 4 and Approval Gate 1). The project encompasses the Lakeview Roundabout, Castlemartyr and Killeagh bypass areas.
James O'Connor TD, Fianna Fáil representative for Cork East, stated:
"This makes the project real and tangible and now the public will get their opportunity to be involved once it goes to public consultation during the Options Selection phase. I expect this phase of the project will take approximately two years and will considerably advance one of the country's most important road corridors connecting Cork to Waterford along the N25. This will result a major improvement in road safety in the villages of Killeagh and Castlemartyr for the years to come once the project is completed as well as the quality of life for the local residents."
The Options Selection phase, which will include public consultation opportunities, is expected to take approximately two years to complete. This will allow local communities and stakeholders to engage with the planning process before detailed design work progresses.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien told Deputy O'Connor during an Oral Parliamentary Question session in March 2025:
"The project would improve connectivity along the N25 corridor for all road users, including for freight traffic to the ports of Cork and Waterford and Rosslare Europort. I assure the Deputy that the delivery of this project remains an absolute priority of the Government."
The project's origins date back to October 2021, when then Taoiseach Micheál Martin and former Transport Minister Eamon Ryan agreed to support the scheme following an emergency meeting at Government Buildings. The Department of Transport subsequently sanctioned Cork County Council to advance the project to design phase in 2024.
The N25 serves as a critical national route linking Cork to Waterford, carrying significant volumes of freight traffic to and from the ports of Cork, Waterford and Rosslare Europort.
