Kerry Fine Gael TD and Deputy Government Chief Whip, Brendan Griffin, has received positive indications that part of the new N22 Cork-Kerry road could open early.

In response to Deputy Griffin’s latest Dáil question, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said that overlay work has commenced on the eastern section of the scheme, which bypasses Macroom town, and that discussions are currently ongoing between the contract parties regarding certain sections of the scheme that may open to the public early.

TII told Deputy Griffin that the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Development commenced construction in January 2020 and significant progress has been made, with overall construction works about 75% complete at end of May. TII said that this comprises structures that are c.90% complete, earthworks that are c.83% complete and pavement works that are c.15% complete, with various works such as installation of crush and environmental barriers, signage and drainage also progressing.

Deputy Griffin was told that the blasting of rock cut near the western tie-in, where approximately 500,000m3 of rock is being extracted, is nearing completion and that processed rock material is being hauled across the Bohill Bridge and the new bridge crossing of the existing N22 at Cúil na Cathrach, to create road embankments in the low-lying middle section of the road, adjacent to the River Sullane.

TII said that while discussions are currently ongoing between the contract parties regarding certain sections of the scheme that may open to the public early, there remains one overall completion date for the 22km scheme, and that based on current progress, it is anticipated that the scheme will be completed in Quarter 4 of 2023.

Deputy Griffin was told that the eastern section of the scheme, which bypasses the town of Macroom, is the most advanced section, where the laying of mainline road pavement recently commenced.

Deputy Griffin, who is a long-time campaigner for the new Cork-Kerry road, is welcoming the rapid progress on the project and is calling on TII to do everything possible to open the Macroom Town bypass element of the project before the end of the current year.