Major Progress for Cork Northside Road as Preferred Route Confirmed

Cork City Council has confirmed the preferred route for the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route, marking a significant step forward for the 14-kilometre project that will transform connectivity across the city's northside.

The emerging preferred route presented during public consultation earlier this year has now been officially confirmed as the preferred route for the CNDMR. The project has also received approval from the National Transport Authority to progress through the next stage of development, which will include environmental assessments and preliminary designs.

In a further boost, the Government recently included the project in the National Development Plan under the Transport Sector Investment Plan's major projects category (€200 million to €500 million), reflecting its strategic importance.

The CNDMR is a key component of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, published in 2020, which identified the need for this east-west route on the north side of Cork City. The proposed new road will run 14 kilometres from the Carrigrohane Road at its western end to Glanmire in the east, crossing the northern side of Cork City via Hollyhill, Dublin Hill and Banduff.

The route will establish improved connectivity for residents on Cork's northside whilst unlocking lands zoned for housing development. As an inner urban road, it will provide safe, dedicated infrastructure for walking, cycling, public transport and general traffic.

The announcement follows one of Cork City Council's most extensive public consultations, held earlier this year. The consultation received 1,413 submissions and saw over 900 people attend four information open days at locations across the proposed route.

Public feedback confirmed broad consensus on the need for the new northside multimodal road. Several themes emerged from submissions, including issues relating to access, property and lands, environment, public transport, delivery timelines, local traffic, and City Development Plan matters. These will feed into and inform the ongoing design process.

The scheme will now undergo further design development, along with detailed environmental, transport and other relevant assessments. This next phase will involve flora and fauna surveys, geological investigations, archaeological studies, and detailed terrain mapping.

The preliminary design process will identify the precise location of the proposed road within the wider corridor presented during consultation. It will also confirm the number and type of proposed junctions, structures, environmental measures and other design features.

Cork City Council has restated its commitment to maximise the benefits of the proposed multi-modal road for residents and other users along the corridor. Importantly, the Council confirmed there will be no requirement for the demolition of any homes as part of the scheme's construction.

The scheme design will be subject to further public consultation and ultimately, if proceeded with, a statutory planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The Council anticipates the preliminary design will be completed and ready to submit to An Coimisiún Pleanála in early 2028. Subject to necessary approvals, tenders could be sought for the works as early as 2031.

Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said:

"This is another important step forward in the delivery of the CNDMR. I welcome the recent announcement of the project's inclusion in the National Development Plan, reflecting Government's confidence in Cork as a key driver for regional growth and as a counterbalance to the capital, and a determination to deliver the project in response to the evolving needs of the community, the economy and our environment."

John Coleman, CEO of the Land Development Agency, said:

"Confirmation of the preferred route for the Cork Northern Distributor Road marks a major step forward in unlocking the potential of Cork's Northside. This new road will significantly enhance day-to-day travel for residents, improving access to current and future housing developments, including our St. Kevin's site. The project will provide the essential infrastructure to enable the activation of zoned land and deliver additional high quality, affordable housing for Cork City."

Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, said:

"Cork Chamber welcomes the announcement that the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-modal Route is progressing to the next phase of development following a comprehensive public consultation process earlier this year. The scheme will have a transformative impact on communities across Cork's northside and the wider region, enabling continued economic and population growth by supporting existing businesses and unlocking land for housing and industrial developments, while also enabling active travel. Following the recent approval by Cabinet of the proposals made by the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, Cork Chamber is calling on government to use the Northern Distributor Multi-modal Route as a test case for the reforms, demonstrating how delivery can be effectively accelerated to support economic and population growth."

Dave O'Brien, President of Cork Business Association, said:

"The confirmation of the preferred route for the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route marks an important and highly progressive step. The CNDMR presents a transformative opportunity to accelerate the transition to net carbon zero by facilitating a meaningful shift away from private car dependency. Through enhanced bus speeds and reliability, the project will make public transport a genuinely attractive alternative for commuters. The expansion of safe cycling and walking routes will provide viable options for shorter journeys, while the subsequent reduction in city-centre traffic will create opportunities for further pedestrianisation and green infrastructure development. We appreciate Cork City Council's commitment to advancing this scheme and encourage continued public engagement as the project moves into its next phase."