N28 to Fully Close Over October Bank Holiday Weekend for Maryborough Hill Bridge Demolition
A full N28 closure is planned between Rochestown and Carr's Hill from 8pm Friday 23 October to 5am Tuesday 27 October to demolish the Maryborough Hill bridge.
The N28 is set to be fully closed between Rochestown and Carr's Hill over the October Bank Holiday weekend so the existing overbridge at Maryborough Hill can be demolished. The closure is currently planned to run from 8pm on Friday 23 October until 5am on Tuesday 27 October 2026. It's one to factor into any Bank Holiday plans, but there is some good news: the road will open earlier if, as expected, the works are completed ahead of time.
The demolition is part of the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Motorway scheme, and the overbridge will be replaced with a new structure. A full closure is needed so the works can be carried out safely. It comes after the successful installation of a temporary bridge over the N28 in July 2026, and in its advance notice of the closure, BAM thanked those who supported that operation.
Des Gilsenan, BAM Public Liaison:
"We would like to thank local residents, the general public, local industries and the emergency services for their cooperation and support, which helped ensure that operation was completed safely and efficiently."
Before demolition begins, protective layers will be installed on the N28 beneath Maryborough Bridge. These will prevent damage to the road surface from falling concrete and steel during the demolition. They will also help facilitate the safe and timely reopening of the route.
The bridge will then be demolished using excavators equipped with specialised demolition attachments. The structure will be dismantled in a carefully controlled sequence, with sections brought down onto the protected N28 below. All utility services currently carried by the existing bridge will have been diverted before demolition works begin.
To make the most of the closure, additional necessary works will also be carried out on the closed section of the N28. After demolition, all bridge materials will be collected and removed for recycling. The protective layers will then be removed, and the carriageway will undergo a thorough inspection to verify that it is safe for traffic. Once all safety checks have been completed, the N28 will reopen to road users.
Due to the proximity of the demolition to the temporary bridge, Maryborough Hill Road will also be closed for short durations during critical phases of the operation over the weekend. These closures are necessary to ensure the safety of road users and construction personnel.
A comprehensive traffic management and diversion plan will be in place for the duration of the N28 closure and demolition works. Full diversion routes will be clearly signposted for both local traffic and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), and emergency services will be made aware of them.
HGVs will be diverted via Junction 6 on the N40. The signposted route takes them along the N27 and R600 past Cork Airport, then the R613 and R611 via Carrigaline to rejoin the N28 south of the closure. The existing overhead signs on the N40 will be used to advise road users of the closure.
Local traffic will follow a separate signposted diversion on surrounding roads in the Douglas and Rochestown area. All local residents and bus services are to be notified of the closure and restrictions. The diversion routes are shown on the map below.
BAM has issued the notice in advance so that businesses can inform their employees, subcontractors and suppliers. This gives everyone time to plan ahead, adjust logistics where necessary and minimise potential disruption.
This won't be the last weekend closure of the N28, either. Further planned weekend closures will be necessary at key stages of the project. These include the installation of beams for the new Maryborough bridge spanning the N28 in the first or second quarter of 2027.
Once the new permanent overbridge has been completed and opened to traffic, a further weekend closure will be needed in the second or third quarter of 2027 to dismantle and remove the temporary bridge. This will involve lifting operations similar to those used during its installation.
Queries about the works can be directed to Des Gilsenan at M28queries@bam.com or on 1800 816 197. More information on the scheme is available at m28.ie.
