No homes will need to be demolished – with tenders expected by 2031
A graphic giving a preview of the finished design(Image: Cork City Council)
After consulting the public for their views, Cork City Council has confirmed the route for a major new orbital road on the northside of the city.
The proposed new Cork Northern Distributor Road will be 14km, connecting the Carrigrohane Road at its western end to Glanmire in the east. It will cross the northern side of Cork city through Hollyhill, Dublin Hill and Banduff. And Cork City Council have given an update that it could be open in the next decade.
The development, which is officially called the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Road (CNDMR), has a projected cost of €25-€30 million per kilometre, meaning it could have a final price tag of up to €420m. Early estimates are that it will officially open in 2034/2035, with hopes that tenders will be sought by 2031.
In its latest update, the Council confirmed that no houses will need to be demolished under the current plans, and it’s hoped that the route will open up new areas for housing, public transport and employment as well as easing pressure on the N40. The now-confirmed preferred route was presented to the public during consultation process held earlier this year, when Leesiders were invited to have their say on the project. You can see the confirmed Preferred Route in the video below:
The consultation received 1,413 submissions and saw an attendance of over 900 people at the four information open days held at locations across the proposed route of the CNDMR, making it one of the most extensive public consultations that Cork City Council has ever undertaken.
The Council also confirmed that the scheme design will be subject to more public consultation in the coming months. It is anticipated that the preliminary design will be completed and the proposals be ready to submit to An Coimisiún Pleanála in early 2028.
Valerie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council said: “This is another important step forward in the delivery of the CNDMR. I welcome the recent announcement of the project’s inclusion in the National Development Plan, reflecting Government’s confidence in Cork as a key driver for regional growth and as a counterbalance to the capital, and a determination to deliver the project in response to the evolving needs of the community, the economy and our environment.”
Draft plans for the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Road route
CEO of the Land Development Agency (LDA) John Coleman said: “Confirmation of the preferred route for the Cork Northern Distributor Road marks a major step forward in unlocking the potential of Cork’s Northside. This new road will significantly enhance day-to-day travel for residents, improving access to current and future housing developments, including our St. Kevin’s site. The project will provide the essential infrastructure to enable the activation of zoned land and deliver additional high quality, affordable housing for Cork city.”
Cork Chamber CEO, Conor Healy, added: “Cork Chamber welcomes the announcement that the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-modal Route is progressing to the next phase of development following a comprehensive public consultation process earlier this year. The scheme will have a transformative impact on communities across Cork’s northside and the wider region, enabling continued economic and population growth by supporting existing businesses and unlocking land for housing and industrial developments, while also enabling active travel. Following the recent approval by Cabinet of the proposals made by the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, Cork Chamber is calling on government to use the Northern Distributor Multi-modal Route as a test case for the reforms, demonstrating how delivery can be effectively accelerated to support economic and population growth.
A graphic giving a preview of the finished design(Image: Cork City Council)
President of Cork Business Association Dave O’Brien also said: “The confirmation of the preferred route for the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route marks an important and highly progressive step. The CNDMR presents a transformative opportunity to accelerate the transition to net carbon zero by facilitating a meaningful shift away from private car dependency. Through enhanced bus speeds and reliability, the project will make public transport a genuinely attractive alternative for commuters.
“The expansion of safe cycling and walking routes will provide viable options for shorter journeys, while the subsequent reduction in city-centre traffic will create opportunities for further pedestrianisation and green infrastructure development. We appreciate Cork City Council’s commitment to advancing this scheme and encourage continued public engagement as the project moves into its next phase”