Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork Unveiled as Public Consultation Opens

The Emerging Preferred Route (EPR) for the highly anticipated Luas Cork project was unveiled today at Cork City Hall by Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, marking a major milestone in the development of Cork's future public transport network.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has published the EPR for the proposed 18km light rail line and has launched an eight-week public consultation, open until Monday 9th June at 5.30pm. Members of the public are encouraged to view the plans and provide feedback through www.luascork.ie, with a number of open days set to be held across the city during the consultation period.

Luas Cork, stretching from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, will include up to 25 stops, serving key locations such as Munster Technological University (MTU), Cork University Hospital, University College Cork (UCC), Cork city centre, Kent Station, the Docklands, Blackrock and Mahon.

The scheme also proposes a new public transport bridge linking Kent Station to Kennedy Quay, upgraded cycling infrastructure along the route, a 1,000-space Park & Ride facility in Ballincollig, and a Mobility Hub in Mahon.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said:

“The announcement today of the Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork is a significant step in an infrastructure project that will be transformational for Cork city.

Luas Cork will hugely improve connectivity in the city by modernising the city’s public transport network, making it more accessible and creating new opportunities for residents, visitors and local businesses. It’s very positive to see this project progressing, and from that point of view I’d like to acknowledge the work done by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority and indeed Cork City Council.

With the consultation process now open, I’d encourage everybody to take this opportunity to provide their feedback and share their views on this exciting proposal.”

Cork is projected to be the fastest-growing city in Ireland over the next 20 years, with a population increase of 50 to 60 percent. Projects like Luas Cork are seen as essential to facilitating this growth and supporting the large-scale regeneration of the city, including the Cork City Docklands which are expected to deliver 20,000 new homes and nearly 25,000 jobs.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD said:

“The development of Luas Cork will play a key role in achieving the goal of becoming one of Europe’s first climate-neutral cities. By providing a modern, reliable, and efficient public transport option, Luas Cork will encourage a shift away from private car use, reducing traffic congestion, lowering carbon emissions, and improving air quality.”

Lord Mayor of Cork City Dan Boyle said:

“The announcement of an emerging preferred route for Luas Cork is very welcome. A long awaited, missing, but vital, link in the city’s transport infrastructure, it will provide real choice to have more people travel by public transport, reduce car dependency, connect key locations and allow for significant additional growth in the development of city. The challenge is to see it constructed and operating in the shortest possible time frame.”

Hugh Creegan, interim CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA), said:

“Luas Cork is a central part of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS)... This new era of public transport will enable Cork to develop into an accessible, connected and vibrant city.”

Peter Walsh, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, said:

“TII has a strong record in transparent public engagement, and we look forward to hearing from everyone before we progress to the next stage of design on this transformative public transport project for Cork city.”

For more information on the Luas Cork project and to have your say, visit: www.luascork.ie