On today Friday, 29th July 2011, Mr Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport performed the official sod turning of the N25 Bandon/Sarsfield Interchanges Upgrade Scheme.
This Cork City Council Scheme will provide the final link to a high capacity, free flowing route from the Western end of the N22 Ballincollig Bypass to the Northern end of the Jack Lynch Tunnel with a projected reduction in journey time of 75% over the extent of the Scheme during peak periods.
The Scheme will provide a high quality linkage between the N22 and N71 in the Southwest with the N8, N25 and N28 in the North East.
SIAC Construction Ltd commenced work on 06/07/11. Arup Consulting Engineers are acting as Cork City Council’s representatives for the contract with RPS acting as SIAC’s designers for the scheme.
The scheme comprises the upgrading of over 3km of the N25 South Ring Road including:
• Construction of a parallel link roads and realigned dual carriageway along the new route which will fly over the roundabouts
• Demolition of existing pedestrian bridges
• New cycle ways and footpaths.
• Installation of traffic signals, signage including gantry signs, public lighting, noise barriers, etc.
A scale model indicating the scope of works to be carried out as part of the scheme is on display in the foyer of Cork County Hall.
A two year construction period will lead to a contract completion date of mid 2013.
A 24 hour Freephone helpline (1800 932 046) has been established for the duration of the construction phase with regular progress updates issued throughout the construction phase highlighting any milestone events and also advising on any anticipated disruption to traffic. These updates will be carried on the National Road Design Office website www.corkrdo.ie, a link also available on www.corkcity.ie.
A 60km per hour speed limit (except where the 50km per hour limit already applies) will be in place in the works area throughout the construction phase and the cooperation of motorists using the route is requested in order to ensure that the project can be safely completed.