Full Macroom To Baile Bhuirne Bypass Officially Opens
2,200 people were directly involved in the 22km project.
The final section of the N22 Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass has been officially opened marking the completion of the €280 million project, funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and progressed under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040. The ribbon was cut on the last 6 km section by Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn and Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, together with the Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie O’Sullivan on Monday, November 6th.
The new section of road features one of the deepest cuts ever excavated and blasted in Ireland. Over 500,000 m3 of rock was broken and blasted over a two-year period from this section, with the rock recycled to form the foundation of the road throughout the project.
Construction of the 22km road began in January 2020 with contractors Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd and John Cradock Ltd working together as a joint venture. J.B Barry & Partners are the Contractor’s Designer and Mott MacDonald is the Employer’s Representative on the project.
The number of work-hours during the construction stage amounts to 1.8 million. There were 2,200 people directly involved including engineers, designers, planners, supervisors, excavator and dumper drivers, carpenters, steel fixers, pipe layers, pavement laying crews and traffic management operatives. Over 300 construction staff were working each day during the peak.
The completed dual carriageway extends from the eastern side of Macroom at Coolcower to the townland of An Sliabh Riabhach on the western side of Baile Bhuirne. Macroom Town with Baile Mhic Íre and Baile Bhuirne are bypassed as part of the project, marking a major upgrade on the road infrastructure between Cork and Kerry. It features four junctions and 101 principal structures including four river bridges, four overbridges, 15 underbridges, retaining walls, bases for variable message signs, culverts, and environmental barriers.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said,
Mayor
Today marks an important day for the people of the Gaeltacht Mhúscraí. When the first section of this project opened in December 2022 air pollution in Macroom town immediately reduced by more than 50%, supporting the process of decarbonisation of Macroom town. We hope to see a similar benefit for Baile Mhic Íre and Baile Bhuirne. The reduction in heavy goods vehicles will make access to the local schools and businesses a lot safer. The improved connectivity between both Cork and Killarney will also make this area even more attractive for housing developments.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said, “The completion of this eagerly anticipated bypass will be of great benefit to the residents of Cork and Kerry and the many visitors to this beautiful region. This road will reduce journey times, remove congestion from the towns and villages along the route and lower the fuel costs associated with idling in traffic congestion. With traffic redirected to the main road, existing roads can be developed to facilitate safer cycling and walking routes between local areas. By improving connectivity between Cork, Killarney and Tralee for business and tourism, this project will boost local, regional and national development. It is in keeping with the Government’s approach to bring new life into the centres of our towns and villages and open the door to a range of new opportunities for them, making rural Ireland a better place to live and work and to visit. This project is an impressive feat of engineering and I would like to commend everyone who has been involved from the contractors, to Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.”
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said, “With the opening of this road, Baile Mhic Íre and Baile Bhuirne will begin to experience reduced congestion and improved air quality, as has already been seen in Macroom. This will improve the quality of life for local residents and will also increase the attractiveness of active travel. It is also in keeping with the Government’s objective of promoting Compact Growth in our town and village centres, which is a National Strategic Outcome under the National Planning Framework.”
Ahead of the official opening, hundreds of people took part in the West Muskerry AC, 5km race and walk on the new section of the bypass on Saturday, October 21st. The event raised funds for the Ionad Lae Day Centre in Baile Bhuirne and the local GAA club, Naomh Abán.
Peter Walsh Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland stated, “Today is a significant day for the people of County Cork and County Kerry and for all those who use the N22. Bringing this section of the N22 route between Baile Bhuirne and Macroom up to a modern engineering standard, delivers on both safety and efficiency, it is a significant investment by the Government for the region and adds to the continual improvement of the national road network for the benefit of the entire country. It will make a tangible difference to the daily lives of the people who live, work, and travel throughout the area."
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added,
Valerie O'Sullivan
Chief Executive
The town of Macroom and its surrounding area has flourished since it was bypassed late last year. The removal of the congestion has made it a more attractive location for motorists to stop on route from Cork to Kerry and sample the services that Macroom has to offer. Macroom’s inaugural Music Festival was held in June, followed by the Food Festival in September. I would expect to see similar benefits for the villages of Baile Bhuirne and Baile Mhic Íre. We are committed to achieving sustainable social and economic development in rural areas and making our towns and villages attractive places to live, work and visit. The Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass is an integral part of that and I look forward to seeing its impact in the years to come.
Both Baile Bhuirne and Macroom have welcomed a significant number of new projects benefiting both residents and visitors alike. Baile Bhuirne is now home to a new sensory garden, new community centre; a community outdoor space with seating, tree carving and historical information board while in Macroom the new Library and Briery Gap Theatre are due to be completed early next year and will open to the public before the summer. The towns new fire station was recently opened and a new Garda station with divisional headquarters is due to commence in the coming years. Preparations are underway to progress the public realm projects at South Square and Masseytown and to renovate St Colman’s Church into an active community space after €7.2m in RRDF funding was approved in December 2022.
OSCAILT OIFIGIÚIL DON SEACHBHÓTHAR IOMLÁN Ó MHAIGH CHROMTHA GO BAILE BHUIRNE
Bhí baint dhíreach ag 2,200 duine leis an tionscadal 22km.
Osclaíodh an chuid deiridh de sheachbhóthar Mhaigh Chromtha go Baile Bhuirne ar an N22 go hoifigiúil ag cur i gcrích an tionscadail €280 milliún, atá maoinithe ag Bonneagar Iompar Éireann agus a cuireadh chun cinn faoi Thionscadal Éireann 2040 de chuid an Rialtais. Ghearr Méara Chontae Chorcaí, an Clr. Frank O’Flynn agus an Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, an ribín ar an 6km deireanach don bhóthar, in éineacht le Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí Valerie O’Sullivan Dé Luain, 6 Samhain.
Tá ceann de na gearrthacha is doimhne a rinneadh riamh in Éirinn ar an gcuid nua seo den bhóthar. Briseadh agus pléascadh os cionn 500,000 m3 de charraig thar thréimhse dhá bhliain ón gcuid seo, agus athchúrsáladh an charraig mar bhunsraith don bhóthar ar feadh an tionscadail.
Cuireadh tús le tógáil an bhóthair 22km i mí Eanáir 2020 agus na conraitheoirí Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd agus John Cradock Ltd ag obair le chéile ar an gcomhfhiontar. Is é J.B Barry & Partners Dearthóir an Chonraitheora agus d'fheidhmigh Mott MacDonald mar Ionadaí Fostóra ar an tionscadal.
Is ionann líon na n-uaireanta oibre le linn chéim na tógála agus 1.8 milliún. Bhí baint dhíreach ag 2,200 duine lena n-áirítear innealtóirí, dearthóirí, pleanálaithe, maoirseoirí, tiománaithe tochaltóra agus dumpaire, siúinéirí, socraitheoirí cruach, leagadóir píopaí, foirne leagan cosán agus oibrithe bainistíochta tráchta. Bhí breis agus 300 ball foirne tógála ag obair gach lá le linn na mbuaicphointí.
Síneann an débhealach críochnaithe ón taobh thoir de Mhaigh Chromtha ag Cúil Chomhair go baile fearainn Sliabh Riabhach ar an taobh thiar de Bhaile Bhuirne. Seachnaíodh Baile Mhaigh Chromtha, Baile Mhic Íre agus Baile Bhuirne mar chuid den tionscadal, rud a léiríonn uasghrádú mór ar an mbonneagar bóithre idir Corcaigh agus Ciarraí. Tá ceithre acomhal agus 101 struchtúr príomha ann lena n-áirítear ceithre dhroichead abhann, ceithre thardhroichead, 15 fodhroichead, ballaí coinneála, boinn le haghaidh comharthaí teachtaireachta athraitheacha, lintéir agus bacainní timpeallachta.
Dúirt Méara Chontae Chorcaí, an Comhairleoir Frank O’Flynn,
Mayor
Is lá tábhachtach é an lá inniu do mhuintir Ghaeltacht Mhúscraí. Nuair a osclaíodh an chéad chuid den tionscadal seo i mí na Nollag 2022 laghdaigh truailliú aeir i mbaile Mhaigh Chromtha láithreach de níos mó ná 50%, ag tacú leis an bpróiseas dícharbónaithe ar bhaile Mhaigh Chromtha. Táimid ag tnúth le tairbhe den chineál céanna do Bhaile Mhic Íre agus Baile Bhuirne. Beidh rochtain ar na scoileanna agus ar ghnólachtaí áitiúla i bhfad níos sábháilte mar thoradh ar an laghdú d'fheithiclí earraí troma. Déanfaidh an nasc feabhsaithe idir Corcaigh agus Cill Airne an ceantar seo níos tarraingtí fós d’fhorbairtí tithíochta.
Dúirt an Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, “Beidh críochnú an seachbhealaigh ina bhuntáiste mór do chónaitheoirí Chorcaí agus Chiarraí agus don iliomad cuairteoirí chuig an réigiún álainn seo, a bhfuiltear ag súil go fonnmhar leis. Laghdóidh an bóthar seo amanna turais, bainfidh an brú tráchta as na bailte agus na sráidbhailte feadh an bhealaigh agus laghdóidh sé na costais breosla a bhaineann le feithiclí réchasta i mbrú tráchta. Agus trácht á atreorú chuig an bpríomhbhóthar, is féidir bóithre reatha a fhorbairt chun bealaí rothaíochta agus siúil níos sábháilte a éascú idir ceantair áitiúla. Trí nascacht a fheabhsú idir Corcaigh, Cill Airne agus Trá Lí do ghnó agus do thurasóireacht, cuirfidh an tionscadal seo le forbairt áitiúil, réigiúnach agus náisiúnta. Tá sé ag teacht le cur chuige an Rialtais beocht a thabhairt isteach i lár ár mbailte agus ár sráidbhailte agus an doras a oscailt do raon deiseanna nua dóibh, ag déanamh na tuaithe in Éirinn mar áit níos fearr le maireachtáil agus le hoibriú ann agus le cuairt a thabhairt uirthi. Is éacht iontach innealtóireachta é an tionscadal seo agus tréaslaím gach duine a bhí páirteach ó na conraitheoirí, Comhairle Contae Chorcaí agus Bonneagar Iompar Éireann.”
Dúirt An tAire Iompair Eamon Ryan, “Le hoscailt an bhóthair seo, beidh níos lú brú trácht agus caighdeán an aeir níos fear i mBaile Mhic Íre agus Baile Bhuirne, mar atá feicthe cheana féin i Maigh Chromtha. Cuirfidh sé seo feabhas ar cháilíocht na beatha do chónaitheoirí áitiúla, agus cuirfidh sé le tarraingteacht an taistil ghníomhaigh freisin. Tá sé i gcomhréir le cuspóir an Rialtais fás dlúth a chur chun cinn inár lár bailte agus sráidbhailte, mar Toradh Straitéiseach Náisiúnta faoin gCreat Náisiúnta Pleanála.”
Roimh an oscailt oifigiúil, ghlac na céadta duine páirt i rás agus siúlóid 5km West Muskerry AC ar an gcuid nua den seachbhóthar Dé Sathairn, 21 Deireadh Fómhair. Bhailigh an ócáid airgead don Ionad Lae i mBaile Bhuirne agus don chlub áitiúil CLG, Naomh Abán.
Dúirt Peter Walsh Príomhfheidhmeannach le Bonneagar Iompair Éireann an meid seo, “Is lá suntasach é inniu do mhuintir Chontae Chorcaí agus Chontae Chiarraí agus dóibh siúd go léir a úsáideann an N22. Leis an gcuid seo de bhealach an N22 idir Baile Bhuirne agus Maigh Chromtha a thabhairt suas go caighdeán innealtóireachta nua-aimseartha, a sheachadann sábháilteacht agus éifeachtúlacht, is infheistíocht shuntasach é ón Rialtas don réigiún agus cuireann sé le feabhsú leanúnach an ghréasáin bóithre náisiúnta ar mhaithe le tairbhe na tíre ar fad. Déanfaidh sé difríocht shuntasach do shaol laethúil na ndaoine a chónaíonn, a oibríonn agus a thaistealaíonn ar fud an cheantair."
Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí, Valerie O’Sullivan,
Valerie O'Sullivan
Chief Executive
Tá borradh mór tagtha ar bhaile Mhaigh Chromtha agus ar an gceantar máguaird ó cuireadh críoch leis a gcuid den seachbhóthar go déanach anuraidh. Mar gheall ar an mbaint den phlódú tráchta tá sé ina láthair níos tarraingtí do thiománaithe cuairt a thabhairt ar a mbealach ó Chorcaigh go Ciarraí agus na seirbhísí atá le tairiscint ag Maigh Chromtha a bhlaiseadh. Reáchtáladh Féile Ceoil Mhaigh Chromtha i mí an Mheithimh, agus an Fhéile Bia i mí Mheán Fómhair ina dhiaidh sin. Bheinn ag súil le buntáistí cosúla a fheiscint do shráidbhailte Bhaile Bhuirne agus Bhaile Mhic Íre. Táimid tiomanta d'fhorbairt inbhuanaithe sóisialta agus eacnamaíoch a bhaint amach i gceantair thuaithe agus ár mbailte agus sráidbhailte a dhéanamh ina n-áiteanna tarraingteacha le maireachtáil, le hoibriú iontu agus le cuairt a thabhairt orthu. Tá seachbhóthar Mhaigh Chromtha go Baile Bhuirne mar chuid lárnach de sin agus táim ag tnúth lena thionchar a fheiscint sna blianta amach romhainn.
Chuir Baile Bhuirne agus Maigh Chromtha fáilte roimh líon suntasach tionscadal nua a théann chun sochair na gcónaitheoirí agus na gcuairteoirí araon. Tá gairdín céadfach nua, ionad pobail nua i mBaile Bhuirne anois; spás pobail lasmuigh le suíocháin, snoíodóireacht crann agus clár faisnéise stairiúla agus i Maigh Chromtha tá foirgneamh nua don Leabharlann agus Amharclann Bhearna na Sceiche le bheith críochnaithe go luath an bhliain seo chugainn agus beidh siad ar oscailt don phobal roimh an samhradh. Osclaíodh stáisiún dóiteáin nua an bhaile le déanaí agus tá stáisiún Gardaí nua le ceanncheathrú rannáin le tosnú sna blianta amach romhainn. Tá ullmhúcháin ar bun chun tionscadail an fhearainn phoiblí ag an gCearnóg Theas agus ag Baile Mheasaigh a chur chun cinn agus chun Eaglais Naomh Colmán a athchóiriú ina spás pobail gníomhach tar éis €7.2m de mhaoiniú RRDF a fhaomhadh i mí na Nollag 2022.