M28 Cork To Ringaskiddy: Steady Progress as Key Closures and Traffic Changes Approach

Construction on the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway is advancing across multiple fronts this week, with several significant traffic management changes set to take effect in the coming days and weeks, including a major lane closure on the N28 due from early April.

Rochestown

In the Rochestown area, retaining wall works beside the N28 off-ramp are advancing well, with road-widening operations extending from the Bloomfield junction also under way. Sheet pile extraction in this section has been rescheduled and will now take place from next week.

A lane closure on the Rochestown off-ramp from the existing N28 remains in place, with one lane remaining operational for the next couple of weeks to accommodate the works.

Mount Oval

Preparations for the new Mount Oval off-ramp are progressing, with excavation for the new slip road due to begin in early April 2026. Traffic management measures are currently in effect at Mount Oval to facilitate controlled plant crossings associated with the slip-road works.

Maryborough Hill and Carr's Hill

Excavation for the Maryborough to Carr's Hill link road is ongoing, and construction of the retaining wall has now commenced. This area will remain a focus of activity for several months as works advance.

Daytime traffic management will be in place on Maryborough Hill near the bridge for one day next week, with two-way traffic flow maintained throughout. Further measures, including stop/go controls and temporary signals, will be required in April to allow service diversions in the same area. Additional details will be provided in the next project newsletter.

Two new site access points along the N28, between Carr's Hill and Maryborough Hill, will become active from next week. The lane closure beneath the Carr's Hill underbridge is now in operation and will remain in place for several months.

Important: N28 climbing lane closure from early April

Motorists should be aware that the N28 climbing lane between Rochestown and Carr's Hill will close from early April for approximately six months. This will reduce the route to a single lane in each direction for the duration.

Board of Works Road

Excavation and early construction activities for the new bridge on the Board of Works Road have started and will continue over the coming months. Intermittent flagman-controlled crossings remain in place on this road during working hours.

Shannonpark

New link road works will remain active throughout the coming month. The bridge structure in the Shannonpark area is also progressing, with north abutment works ongoing and construction of the south abutment now under way.

A new site entrance and exit will become operational from the existing Shannonpark roundabout, providing improved access to the works area. The R611 (Cork Road) will switch onto a newly constructed section of road in April.

Road users travelling through the Shannonpark area are asked to proceed with caution and follow updated signage, as changes to road alignments will begin next week.

R855, R609 and Ballinrea Road

Traffic management continues along the R855 and R609 (Carrigaline Road), both east and west of the N28, where flagmen manage plant crossings during working hours. These operations remain weather-dependent. Flagmen also remain active on Ballinrea Road during working hours, and traffic management is in place along the R611 verge.

Ringaskiddy Relief Road

Further along the scheme, works at Loughbeg and Ringport are nearing completion, with surfacing at the tie-ins and within the business park approaching its final stages. Brick paving of the roundabout central island is 95% complete.

Fencing and landscaping works are also nearing completion throughout the scheme. The crash barrier and environmental noise barriers are now fully installed, and final commissioning of the street lighting is ongoing. Excavation for two CCTV columns and two ITS gantries was carried out this week, with reinforced concrete bases and associated works to follow.

Barnahely Roundabout

Footway and cycleway works on the east side of the R613 in Barnahely are due to be complete by the end of this week. By the middle of next week, this area will be fully reopened to pedestrians and cyclists, and traffic management will switch to the western edge of the road, either side of the Johnson and Johnson entrance.

No blasting

The project team has confirmed there will be no rock excavation by means of controlled blasting in the coming weeks.

Queries regarding the construction works can be directed to Des Gilsenan, Public Relations Officer for BAM, by email at m28queries@bam.com or by phone on 1800 816197.