Cork Infrastructure Projects worth €1.3bn in 2017

Cork Infrastructure Projects worth €1.3bn

Cork infrastructure is booming and it’s no surprise that in 2017 alone, an estimated €1.3bn worth of projects are to be started or completed according to a report by Construction Information Services.

46 Projects, €1.3 billion

The CIS report identified 46 projects that are lined up for development in Cork City and County in civil, commercial, community, sport, recreation, education, residential, industrial and medical sectors.

The following are some of the most high profile on the list:

€78m

Redevelopment of Pairc Ui Chaoimh

€160m

Upgrade of the N22 Cork city to Tralee, including bypasses for Macroom, Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera

€53m

Development of the Cork Event and Convention Centre at the old Beamish and Crawford site

€64m

Six-floor extension at the Bons Secours Hospital on College Road

€160m

Energy facility in Ringaskiddy

Upgrade of Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy

€25m

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) of three major housing developments: 600 unit suburban greenfield site at the Old Whitechurch Road; the former “Atlantic Quarter” site on the former Ford Depot site on Centre Park Road; and the R & H Hall site on Kennedy Quay.

Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme

Six-floor extension at the Bons Secours Hospital on College Road

Cork City Flood Defence Scheme

€64m

Wind farm development at Ballyhoura

The proposed building of a new Radiation Oncology Centre at Cork University Hospital

In addition, the Capitol development on Grand Parade at the site of the former Capitol Cinema already has its first tenant when AlienVault officially opened their new EMEA Sales and Technical Support Centre there in early May 2017.

Cork Science Park

Soltaz was recently granted planning permission at the former FAI grounds at Curraheen where 60 hectares of land could cater for more than 11,000 students and employees for the proposed Cork Science Park. Furthermore, University College Cork also got planning permission in 2016 for a €12m ‘hub’ at Curraheen.

Dunkettle Interchange and N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

However, there are two significant infrastructure developments that are gathering a groundswell of support to be delivered in a quicker timeframe: the €100m development of the Dunkettle interchange expected to start in 2019 and upgrades to the N28 to Ringaskiddy.

According to the Cork Branch of the Construction Industry Federation, these two projects are Ireland’s most important infrastructure projects and need to be fast-tracked as these works are essential in allowing the capacity of the Port of Cork to grow so that exports can continue to reach the mainland Europe without having to go through the UK in the post-Brexit era.

M20 Cork to Limerick Motorway

And there is one project that above all is getting a lot of attention but which is yet to get the green light – the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway.

In recent months, there have been numerous surveys and reports from groups based in both Limerick and Cork highlighting the volume of support that is behind this development.

A recent Red C survey found that:

98% of businesses in the Munster region have given their overwhelming support to the proposed M20 motorway

98% said that the motorway will improve economic links between Cork and Limerick

97% believe that it would reduce traffic congestion between the two cities, reduce journey times and will lead to increased road safety

Retain FDI and become the leader of Ireland’s Atlantic Cities

IBEC Cork Regional Director Peter O’Shaughnessy believes that improved enhancements to the inter-regional road network with upgrades to the N28 Cork – Ringaskiddy, the N25 Cork – Rosslare, the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange and the N22 Ballyvourney – Macroom would retain FDI and therefore allow Cork to develop and position itself as a leader of Ireland’s Atlantic cities.

View from Euro Executive

In Euro Executive Recruitment, we see time and time again, that Engineering and Construction professionals are commuting longer and longer distances with many people regularly commuting from Limerick to Cork or from Waterford to Cork. On many occasions, we have found that either working in Little Island or having to go through the Jack Lynch Tunnel can be off-putting as these roads have significant tailbacks at peak times. However, we have also found that if employers are flexible with start and finish times, this can provide a good compromise for the prospective new employee.

We believe that the investment in these infrastructure projects is essential for Cork and the whole Munster region to meet its true potential as a place to do business. The ability of the region to grow and prosper rests on the government also share this view.

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