Improve Capacity, Reduce Congestion, Minimise Disruptions
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has developed proposals for the improvement of the existing Dunkettle Interchange in County Cork. The existing Dunkettle Interchange is located approximately 6km to the east of Cork City, where the M8/N8 road from Dublin to Cork intersects with the N25 road from Waterford to Cork, via the existing interchange, just north of the Jack Lynch Tunnel. Therefore, the existing Dunkettle Interchange is a strategically important intersection of a number of key national routes, with the main links described as follows:
- The M8/N8 Dublin to Cork Road;
- The N25 Cork to Waterford Road; and
- The N40 Southern Ring Road (through the Jack Lynch Tunnel).
The existing interchange comprises a signalised roundabout, which includes a free flow overpass for traffic travelling along the N25 from the east to Cork, in the west, and vice versa. Traffic using the interchange other than for this movement must negotiate the circulatory carriageway (roundabout) which is controlled via traffic signals.
The following images are taken from the Environmental Impact Statement which gives some indications as to the changes that will occur during the works. These photomontages illustrate how the landscape will change and how the interchange will look.
The proposed development comprises the reconfiguration of the existing Dunkettle Interchange to a free flowing interchange in so far as practicable, i.e. an interchange whereby traffic movements aren’t conflicted by opposing traffic movements either by yielding or stopping at traffic signals, as is the case with the existing interchange. The proposed development includes the following elements of infrastructure:
- A series of direct road links between the N8, the N25 and the N40 and links to the R623 Regional Road in Little Island and Burys Bridge in Dunkettle;
- 1 grade separated junction arrangement at the existing N25 to the east of the existing Dunkettle Interchange;
- 4 roundabouts – 2 at the grade separated junction and 2 at tie ins with the existing road network;
- 52 major structures of various forms;
- Several culverts where the scheme crosses watercourses or intertidal areas;
- Intelligent Transport Systems and
- Pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
Benefits of the Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade
- Improve Capacity
- Reduce Congestion
- Minimise Disruption
Existing Congestion at the Dunkettle Interchange
