Water Rock Level Crossing to Close for Four Weeks as Midleton Rail Project Advances
Water Rock level crossing closes 27 October for four weeks as Midleton twin track project advances. Diversions in place until 23 November.
Motorists travelling through Water Rock will need to find alternative routes from next week, as Iarnród Éireann prepares to close the level crossing for four weeks to accommodate the new second track to Midleton.
The closure at Water Rock level crossing will run from 27 October to 23 November 2025 as part of the €90 million Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Tracking project. The crossing will be widened and rearranged to make room for the additional track, with traffic diversions in place throughout the works.
Iarnród Éireann has apologised for the inconvenience the month-long closure will cause to commuters and residents in the area. The project team acknowledges the disruption comes at a busy time, but the works represent a crucial step in transforming Cork's commuter rail network.
The twin tracking project is making substantial progress, with the first 1,920 metres of new track already installed. This milestone follows months of preparatory works, including laying the new track bed and repositioning the existing single track.
Track laying is expected to be largely complete by mid-2026, with the overall project scheduled for completion in 2027. The second track will form a key part of Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, alongside the new €23 million Platform 6 at Kent Station and signalling upgrades across the Cork area.
Once complete, Phase 1 will deliver the network capacity needed for significant increases in train service frequency on Cork's three commuter lines: to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. The improvements aim to make rail a more attractive option for Cork commuters currently reliant on cars.
Phase 2 of the programme promises even more ambitious changes, with plans for new stations, a new depot, and electrification of the network. The ultimate goal is a 10-minute service frequency on each of the three commuter lines, supported by a new fleet of trains.
The first public consultation on Phase 2 took place in June 2025, with a second round and submission of a Railway Order Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála expected in 2026.
The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme aims to ease road congestion whilst building a more connected and efficient rail network. The project supports Ireland's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient society less dependent on private cars.
Phase 1 is primarily funded through the European Union's NextGenerationEU recovery instrument, with additional exchequer funding from the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority. Further information is available at www.irishrail.ie/cacr.